BTV-6 ‘Could Spread Unchecked for a Year’
UK - Farmers in the UK are unlikely to see a vaccine for the latest bluetongue strain to infect Europe for at least a year, a leading vaccine manufacturer said.Serotype 6 (BTV-6) was discovered in Holland last week, causing concern the virus could spread unchecked across Europe.
Brian Rice, veterinary manager for Merial Animal Health said the discovery was ‘worrying’ and while manufacturers would be putting systems in place to produce a vaccine should the risk increase, it could be some time before it is available to farmers.