the essential
The Gers began vaccinating the sheep herd this Friday before the probable arrival of this disease which strikes sheep. Report from Pouylebon, in Astarac.
As part of the vaccination campaign against bluetongue type 3 (FCO-3), the departing prefect of Gers, Laurent Carrié, attended a sheep vaccination sequence, this Friday at Gaec Lou Pastou, in Pouylebon. He was accompanied by veterinary services. The breeding of 500 Lacaune will be secured by the end of December. A relief for the farmer, Nadine Duffort. “This makes it possible to perpetuate the herd: where FCO-3 is prevalent, we sometimes record enormous losses…” The current window is favorable: the drop in temperatures reduces the activity of the midges which spread the disease.
DDM – SEBASTIEN LAPEYRERE
In the large covered enclosure, the prefect presents the vaccination strategy. A communication campaign aims to inform breeders about the progress of the disease and the importance of vaccination to protect farms. “The vaccine will be fully covered,” assures the prefect. We were due to receive 2M doses at the end of November and 2M in December, and there will ultimately be 1M more available. » 20,000 doses of vaccine were pre-ordered by Gers veterinarians this week. Breeders must register on the lists maintained by veterinarians as soon as possible. “It’s off to a good start,” confides the prefect.
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Bluetongue: “The difficulty is the supply of vaccines”, warn the authorities
“We can be pleased that the vaccines arrived in the Gers before the disease,” notes Bernard Malabirade. The president of the Chamber of Agriculture, however, calls for “greater anticipation” in the face of epizootics – whether it concerns knowledge, health instructions or vaccines – and to group vaccines together as much as possible to reduce handling of animals with a bite.
