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New On Vets.TV - Bluetongue Vaccination And Midges

Author: BVA
Posted: Friday 19th September, 2008. 00:00:00

The latest additions to VETS.TV - the new web TV service currently being piloted by BVA at www.vets.tv. - include BVA President Nick Blayney talking about the ongoing importance of Bluetongue vaccination and an Institute for Animal Health video demonstrating a novel way of monitoring midges.

Nick Blayney’s presentation, shot at the RVC Boltons Park site, reinforces the ongoing need for vaccination against the devastating and economically damaging Bluetongue virus and points out that waiting to see if your neighbours get the disease is leaving matters far too late. While all stakeholders in the Joint campaign Against Bluetongue (JAB) have been delighted with the take-up of vaccination to date, Mr Blayney stresses that the momentum needs to be maintained if UK livestock is to remain protected.

The other complimentary addition to VETS.TV is an Institute for Animal Health video demonstrating a novel way of monitoring midges. By combining ingenious ways of trapping and monitoring midges with cutting-edge computer modelling and weather predictions the IAH team are gaining an understanding of how the insects spread the disease. This in turn is leading to improved surveillance methods and streamlined advice to farmers on how and when to protect their animals. As Dr Simon Carpenter, the leader of the IAH team points out “these experiments are vital … it’s about knowing your enemy. Last year, in northern Europe, bluetongue cost over £95 million in direct losses alone.”

While indirect losses in the UK last year were considerable, we have yet to experience the full effects of a BTV outbreak as has been seen on the continent. Hence the importance, as stressed by both Nick Blayney and Simon Carpenter of as many farmers as possible vaccinating their stock.

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