Channel Isles-Dealing with Bluetongue on Jersey.

CHANNEL ISLES-BLUTONGUE.

Fort Dodge Provides Bluetongue 1 Vaccine to Farmers in Jersey

Fort Dodge Animal Health has provided its Zulvac® 1 vaccine against Serotype 1 Bluetongue (BTV-1) in cattle and sheep to vets in Jersey under the terms of a Special Export Licence from the French Government.

Zulvac 1 vaccine injection

Zulvac 1 is currently awaiting its UK licence.

Fort Dodge was the first company to be appointed by the French authorities to supply a Serotype 1 vaccine and it has been used extensively to combat the major problem posed by this variant of Bluetongue in France. As no company has yet been licensed to provide a Serotype 1 vaccine in the UK, Fort Dodge has stepped in to support farmers in Jersey who face a serious threat from Bluetongue Serotype 1 because of their proximity to France.

Jersey Planning and Environment Department’s states veterinary officer, Linda Lowseck said: "I’m pleased to have worked with Fort Dodge to secure vaccine for Jersey’s livestock ahead of any authorised vaccine being available in the UK."

FDAH’s Andrew Wylie commented: "Jersey’s farmers face a challenge not just because of their geographical closeness to France but also because of the significance of the Jersey breed in its native island home. The impact of a major outbreak of Bluetongue Serotype 1 could be devastating and, for this reason, we’re delighted to be helping them with a mass vaccination campaign which will be underway shortly."