Bluetongue update (correct as of early September 2025)
At the time of writing there have been 26 cases of bluetongue reported and clinical cases have been seen locally in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. We are still urging everyone to consider vaccination as this is our only tool to protect against this disease. The peak of cases isn’t expected until September and cases will be expected beyond this so it isn’t too late to vaccinate!
Latest info here Bluetongue: latest situation – GOV.UK
Are you considering vaccination?
The risk of bluetongue cases this year is still high so we are still urging people to consider vaccination.
Although the vaccines are licensed for use in pregnancy, we are ideally avoiding vaccinating in early and late pregnancy. Now is therefore an ideal time to vaccinate sheep to ensure they are protected later in the year. Sheep have generally been severely affected by bluetongue with mortality rates of up to 70% in clinical cases. If you are considering vaccinating your flock, please do get in touch as soon as possible as vaccine supplies are a little slow so we do need to order in advance to ensure we get the products in.
Cattle have been less severely affected though there are now cases of infection affecting fertility. Poor pd rates, abortions, stillbirths and ‘dummy’ calves born infected with the virus have now been reported. Milk drop would also be seen in affected dairy cows. Timing vaccination for cattle is more difficult when trying to avoid early pregnancy but do get in touch if you want to discuss how to protect your cattle this year.
Please be aware that after vaccination, the ear tag numbers of all animals must be reported to APHA within 48 hours and any unused vaccine must be returned to the practice.
