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Vaccination to prevent Bluetongue in Pets |
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Written by MyPetFriends
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Wednesday, 14 May 2008 |
 Sheep and goats were once only considered to be farmyard animals but in recent years ownership of these animals as pets has been steadily on the rise, encouraging the government to introduce a vaccination and awareness programme to prevent bluetongue disease.
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A government led programme starts next month in the Herefordshire region and aims to work with vets to ensure that animals such as sheep, goats and llamas are vaccinated. The government aims to eradicate the virus in the area within four years.
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Bluetongue is a non-contagious virus which is spread by midges. Since its discovery within the UK last year around 120 premises around the country have been infected. Most of England, including Herefordshire, is now part of a bluetongue surveillance zone. Within these zones, owners are encouraged to vaccinate their animals. Vaccination is essential for those with a few or many such livestock as an infected animal could mean that the area is placed under restrictions by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and animals could be culled as a result.
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