A number of serotypes of the bluetongue virus (BTV) have spread quickly within Europe in the past year, including Switzerland. The newly authorised vaccine BTVPUR can be used to vaccinate sheep and cattle against the serotypes 1, 2, 4 or 8 of this disease.
Swissmedic authorises the BTVPUR vaccine for the protection of sheep and cattle against the bluetongue serotypes 1, 2, 4 and 8
07.02.2025
Bluetongue (BTV) is a virus that affects ruminants and camelids and is spread by insects, known as vectors. There have been outbreaks of the bluetongue serotypes 3 and 8 in Switzerland since the end of August 2024, while serotype 4 is also approaching the country from France, Italy and Austria.
Although a vector-free period has been declared between 1 December 2024 and 31 March 2025, Swissmedic is expecting case numbers to rise again in 2025. With BTVPUR, a new combination vaccine has been authorised against the serotypes 1, 2, 4 or 8 for sheep and cattle. It enables the simultaneous combined vaccination of sheep and cattle against two serotypes of bluetongue in each case. There is currently no authorised vaccine for serotype 3 in Switzerland. Swissmedic will assess any such application as a top priority.
The Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) issued a general ruling in October 2024 in consultation with Swissmedic which allows vaccines against this serotype (BTV-3) to be imported and used.
Supplementary information
Vaccine against bluetongue virus can be used
(www.blv.admin.ch)