Schmallenberg vaccine available for cattle and sheep

Sheep and cattle farmers looking to protect their stock from the midge-borne Schmallenberg virus this breeding season now have access to a new vaccine.

Zulvac SBV, from animal health company Zoetis, is the only vaccine licensed to protect stock. The manufacturer says it protects cattle for up to six months and sheep for up to seven months, and can be used from 14 weeks of age.

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The disease, which is spread by insect vectors such as midges, can cause malformed offspring and subsequent stillbirth when animals are infected during pregnancy.

Zoetis says the vaccine covers the window of susceptibility during pregnancy, which is from day 28 to day 56 in sheep and from day 70 to day 150 in cattle.

Although no cases of Schmallenberg have been reported by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) for the past two years, Zoetis vet Carolyn Hogan believes a threat from the disease remains.

“We don’t know the national herd and flock situations – whether they are immune or susceptible – and neither do we know if another Schmallenberg virus challenge will appear,” she said.

“The biggest issue is that there are no clinical signs of the disease, but you can get big losses. Vaccination remains the most effective way of ensuring valuable livestock are protected,” she said.

The midges that carry Schmallenberg are still widespread in Europe and could spread the infection.

An APHA spokesperson said farmers should remain vigilant for signs of fever and milk drop in dairy cows, and for deformed lambs and calves.

“Vets can advise on how best to manage the risk on farms, including making business decisions about diagnostic testing to confirm presence of disease and vaccination,” the spokesperson added.

Schmallenberg risk assessment