Vaccination remains important for sustainable lungworm control
Rising Lungworm And Resistance Fears Prompt Vaccination Advice Pre-Turnout
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Cattle farmers are being urged to consider lungworm vaccination before turnout as both cases1 and signs of resistance to commonly used wormers2 continue to rise.
Research from the University of Glasgow2 has added to growing evidence of resistance to macrocyclic lactones (MLs) such as ivermectin and moxidectin, with studies showing these treatments failing to control lungworm infections in cattle.
Against this backdrop, Dr Kat Baxter-Smith, veterinary adviser with MSD Animal Health, says the message on pre-turnout vaccination has never been more important.
“There’s been a tenfold increase in lungworm infections since the mid-1990s – particularly in Scotland and northern England1,” she says. “Between the 2018 and 2024, cases of parasitic pneumonia diagnosed and reported to the GB Veterinary Investigation Diagnosis Network (VIDA) rose by 100% across the UK3.”
Dr Baxter-Smith explains that anecdotal on-farm reports and government data also suggest lungworm is now being seen in many adult cattle4, not just in first- or second-season grazers as traditionally thought.
“Clinical disease in adult cattle can occur late in the season due to a lack of immunity from natural challenge, immunosuppression from other disease, or very high worm burdens,” she says. “This reinforces the need for protection through vaccination.”
Lungworm infestation occurs when cattle graze pasture contaminated with larvae from the worm Dictyocaulus viviparus. Once ingested, the larvae migrate to the lungs where they mature, reproduce, and release eggs that are coughed up, swallowed, and excreted back onto pasture – rapidly recontaminating the grazing environment.
Dr Baxter-Smith says vaccination remains the gold standard for sustainable lungworm control, as it enables animals to build immunity before they face infection pressure on pasture.
“Routine use of wormers can encourage resistance as highlighted by recent studies2 and reduce the animal’s ability to develop natural immunity,” she explains. “Vaccination, however, stimulates immunity through controlled exposure to irradiated larvae, offering long-lasting protection without driving resistance.”
She adds that although many farmers continue to vaccinate, long-acting wormers and pour-ons have become more popular. “Now, with evidence of resistance emerging, we need to prioritise sustainable practices like vaccination.”
On farms where lungworm is a risk, two doses of Bovilis® Huskvac should be given four weeks apart before turnout. Calves must be over 8 weeks of age and older at the first vaccination. This helps protect them by building immunity before they are exposed to lungworm on pasture.
The economics of vaccination also make sense, adds Dr Baxter-Smith. “Outbreaks can cost £50–£100 per affected animal, and up to £3 per head per day in lost milk yield in dairy cows5, which is far more costly than vaccinating.”
Dr Baxter-Smith recommends that farmers discuss their individual risk and grazing management with their vet as part of a wider herd health plan.
“Every farm is different. Talk to your vet about your grazing system, the age of animals at risk, and the worming policy you use,” she says. “A vaccination plan tailored to your farm can help safeguard herd health, reduce financial losses, and protect the efficacy of the wormers we still have.”
References
- McCarthy, C. and van Dijk, J. (2020), Spatiotemporal trends in cattle lungworm disease (Dictyocaulus viviparus) in Great Britain from 1975 to 2014. Veterinary Record, 186: 642-642. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.105509
- Campbell P, Forbes A,McIntyre J, Bartoschek T, Devine K, O’Neill K,et al. Inefficacy of ivermectin and moxidectintreatments against Dictyocaulus viviparus indairy calves. Vet Rec. 2024;e4265.https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.4265
- Veterinary Investigation Diagnosis Analysis (VIDA) Annual Report 2018- 2024 – Diagnoses by Year.
- Guidance: Beware of Lungworm, November 2021 Be aware of lungworm - GOV.UK
- Control of worms sustainability. (2014) Control of lungworm in cattle. Techinical report. HAYTON, A. (2009) Lungworm and cattle. Veterinary Times, July 20.
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