Information given is based on the data available as of 14/9/2024. Produced by the British Veterinary Camelid Society.
The current BTV-3 vaccines are not licenced for camelids, but their use is allowable under licence, using the Cascade with appropriate withdrawal periods set by the prescriber. Owners are being encouraged to have a risk-based discussion with their vet to determine whether vaccination is appropriate. We recommend that practitioners familiarise themselves with the available SPCs. Safety and efficacy data are not available – but as camelid practitioners we are no strangers to this situation.
BVCS recommendations are based on published data available for vaccines for alternative serotypes of Bluetongue Virus (BTV) with similar or identical excipients to the three available vaccines, as well as unpublished study (Whitehead, Batten and Jackson). These studies suggest improved antibody response to BTV vaccination after the second subcutaneous administration of the primary course, three weeks after the first dose.
There is no data on the duration of immunity from the available vaccines in camelids. We have received limited anecdotal reports of transient pyrexia and injection site nodules in camelid recipients. The transient pyrexia is a potential risk to pregnancy, however vaccine studies with BTV8 strains in late pregnancy do not suggest an adverse effect. It is our recommendation that animals to be vaccinated begin their primary course after day 60 of pregnancy, when it is likely that fetomaternal interface is closely associated.
Vaccines reportedly reduce the severity of clinical signs and mortality in recipients, however this possibility must be balanced with reported clinical signs in infected camelids, where seropositive animals may not display clinical signs. Other camelid practitioners on the continent have reported severe respiratory disease and fatalities in animals known to be infected with bluetongue as well as pyrexia lasting several days – so it appears that camelids do not consistently display typical clinical presentations.
If your clients have made the decision to vaccinate:
- They must apply for a general licence from APHA if they are within the high-risk areas of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent, and East Sussex. They must apply for a specific licence if they are out with these areas.
- Keepers may administer vaccine to their own animals.
- As a condition of the licence, all animals vaccinated must have permanent identifiers (such as microchips or ear tags) and these must be recorded and made available if called upon.
- Any wasted vaccine must be returned to the prescribing veterinary surgeon. Therefore, keepers cannot arrange vaccine drives amongst themselves.
- The cold chain must be preserved. All storage and handling information is on the SPC.
- We recommend that regardless of vaccine choice, that two doses of primary course are given at the sheep dose regardless of whether this is a single shot vaccine in sheep according to the datasheet. This must be factored into your vaccine order.
- Animals should be gently and quietly handled during vaccination.
- The fibre over the injection site (likely axillary region) should be clean and dry.
- We recommend that to prevent potential spread from subclinically infected animals during vaccination that a fresh needle is used per animal.
References
Olivera, L., Zago, D., Leiser, R., Jones, C., & Bevilacqua, E. (2003). Placentation in the alpaca Lama pacos. Anatomy and embryology, 207, 45-62.
Tibary, A.: Theriogenology in Camelidae. Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology and Artificial Breeding. Abu Dhabi Printing and Publishing Company, Mina, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 1997.
Tibary, A., Anouassi, A., Sghiri, A., & Khatir, H. (2007). Current knowledge and future challenges in camelid reproduction. Society of Reproduction and Fertility supplement, 64, 297-313.
Zanolari, P., Bruckner, L., Fricker, R., Kaufmann, C., Mudry, M., Griot, C., & Meylan, M. (2010). Humoral Response to 2 Inactivated Bluetongue Virus Serotype‐8 Vaccines in South American Camelids. Journal of veterinary internal medicine, 24(4), 956-959.
BVCS take no responsibility for the accuracy, efficacy or safety of the doses provided, nor for any adverse reactions following administration. Owners should be advised of the above, including any known risks of use and signed off-licence consent obtained.
