The JAB campaign for mass vaccination against bluetongue can step up a gear after Intervet announced its vaccine has been licensed for use in the UK. The news comes as Defra published its roll out plan and guidance notes for livestock keepers and vets.

Bluetongue is an infectious, noncontagious arthropodborne viral disease primarily of domestic and wild ruminants. Infection with bluetongue virus is common worldwide but is usually subclinical or mild in most infected ruminants. Bluetongue is almost exclusively a disease of sheep, particularly the fine-wool and mutton breeds, although white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ), and pronghorn ( Antilocapra americana ) and desert bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis ) may develop severe clinical disease in North America.

Defra’s vaccination roll out plan for the England, which has been developed by the core group which includes industry representatives, is another important development. JAB said "While the ultimate roll out plan has to remain flexible enough to accommodate any developments with the virus, it gives a clear indication to farmers of the current thinking of how the vaccine will be delivered and it should allow them to start planning for vaccination."