Bovilis BTV8 Bluetongue Virus Serotype 8 vaccine

Bovilis BTV8 is a vaccine. It is a suspension for injection that contains an inactivated (killed) bluetongue serotype 8 virus. Bovilis BTV8 is used in cattle and sheep to protect them against bluetongue disease. Bluetongue disease is an infection that is transmitted by midges and caused by the bluetongue virus (serotype 8). The vaccine is used to prevent viraemia (the presence of viruses in the blood) in sheep and to limit viraemia in cattle.

The vaccine is given to young animals as an injection under the skin. One injection is enough to vaccinate sheep, but cattle will need a second injection approximately three weeks later. The first injection is given from one month of age in sheep and from six weeks of age in cattle. Bovilis BTV8 contains a bluetongue virus that has been inactivated so that it cannot cause the disease. When it is given to cattle and sheep, the animals’ immune system recognises the virus as ‘foreign’ and produce antibodies against it. In the future, if the animals are exposed to the same type of bluetongue virus, the immune system will be able to produce antibodies more quickly. This will help to protect against the disease.

The studies showed that the vaccine is safe for both sheep and cattle and that it prevents viraemia in sheep from one month of age when infected with bluetongue virus serotype 8 whereas Bovilis BTV8 reduces viraemia in cattle from six weeks of age. Bovilis BTV8 was shown to be safe for use in pregnant ewes and cattle.

BOVILIS BTV8 SIDE EFFECTS

After vaccination, animals may have a slightly raised temperature (usually not more than 0.5°C, in individual cases up to about 2°C) for up to three days after vaccination. There can also be a temporary swelling at the injection site, lasting for up to three weeks in sheep and six weeks in cattle. Some animals may also have hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions.

BOVILIS BTV8 : WITHDRAWAL PERIOD

The withdrawal period for both sheep and cattle is zero days.

BOVILIS BTV8 : MILK CONSUMPTION

Milk can be taken immediately for both sheep and cattle.

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