Bluetongue
All bluetongue virus (BTV) pre-movement and export testing is now being carried out at IAH Pirbright. Turnaround time for PCR and ELISA testing is 5 working days. Please take this into account when submitting samples.
New: As of June 12th 2009 IAH Pirbright will be performing Eliza testing using an improved assay for the detection of BTV antibodies produced earlier in infection and after vaccination.
Developments involving the Institute for Animal Health.
- IAH is the diagnostic laboratory for bluetongue in the UK, and is the Reference Laboratory for bluetongue for the EU and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). In July 2008 we commenced an investigation into the uptake and efficacy of bluetongue vacination in the uk.
- We are a memeber of the Joint Campaign Against Bluetongue (JAB), supporting bluetongue vaccination.
- Our experts on bluetongue virus, the disease, midges, weather and mathematical modelling of disease spread are continually giving advice to the UK Government, the EU and OIE. Read more about bluetongue at our BITE site: Bluetongue Information, Typing and Epidemiology.
Culicoides midges spread bluetongue virus and other viruses e.g. African horse sickness virus. Two videos are available, showing how and why IAH scientists capture midges in the field. Read more about the midges here.
As part of our support for JAB, our bluetongue experts give talks at regional National Farmers’ Union (NFU) meetings and to veterinary associations around the country, and contribute to articles in the farming press, videos, radio and TV programmes. Three particularly useful video pieces can be watched online at:
New (May 09) Defra video: www.youtube.com
Farmers Guardian website: www.farmersguardian.com
Farmers Weekly website:http://www.fwi.co.uk
Bluetongue in Britain and elsewhere in northern Europe 2006 - 2008
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