Virbac Animal Health receives approval for Gudair vaccine

Virbac Animal Health has announced that its Gudair vaccine product is to be launched in the UK after receiving a limited marketing authorisation.

The vaccine is indicated for the active immunisation of sheep and goats against Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis, the causal organism for Johne's disease, a chronic and incurable infection of the intestinal system.

This condition is spread through the faeces of apparently healthy animals and can by highly dangerous, causing annual death rates of up to 17 percent in infected flocks in Australia.

Currently, the number of infected flocks in the UK is unknown and the disease often remains undiagnosed.

Ken Sibley, a technical advisor at Virbac, said: "Following its success in Australia, we are delighted to be able to offer Gudair to veterinary surgeons in the UK."

Last month, the company announced that it has provided a number of product donations to support Tree of Life for Animals, a charity organisation based in India that was founded by a British vet nurse.