U.K. Faces Bluetongue Threat As Farmers Ignore Vaccine
According to a survey for Merial Animal Health, more farmers in the United Kingdom are likely to vaccinate their animals this year versus last year, but one in four producers is still unlikely to vaccinate against bluetongue.
Blutetongue can cause reduced milk yields in dairy cows and lead to high mortality, abortion, and fertility loss in both cattle and sheep. In 2008, 71% of dairy farmers, 65% of beef farmers, and 65% of sheep farmers vaccinated. In 2009, 30% of beef and dairy producers said they were likely to forgo vaccinating their animals, while 70% of sheep and dairy farmers and 58% of beef producers planned to vaccinate.
Some farmers consider the risk of a bluetongue outbreak to be so low that vaccinations aren’t warranted.