Intervet and Schering-Plough release bluetongue vaccine

Intervet/Schering-Plough have released the first batch of Bovvilis BTV8 vaccine in northern Europe, it has emerged.

The vaccine, which works as a preventative measure against bluetongue, was designed for sheep and cattle and the firm has reported that production of the vaccine is currently on track.

“Within the animal health sector, there has been a recent emphasis on prevention rather than treatment,” said Ruurd Stolp, senior vice-president and president of global animal health at the firm.

He added: “When animal diseases are not prevented, the social economic and environmental costs to humans are potentially significant.”

Mr Stolp said that the emergence of bluetongue in northern Europe in the summer of 2006 is an example of the importance of disease protection.

He added that the release of the first batch of the vaccine will be delivered in advance of the beginning of the midge season in order to best prevent the disease.

According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, bluetongue is spread by midges and affects ruminants – such as cows and sheep – but not humans, horses or pigs.