Bluetongue Bulk Milk Antibody Monitoring Kit

Description

Monitor your dairy herd for evidence of Bluetongue exposure using one simple bulk milk sample.

The Bluetongue (BTV) Bulk Milk Antibody Test provides non-vaccinated dairy farmers with a simple and practical way to monitor their milking herd for evidence of exposure to Bluetongue virus.

Using one representative bulk tank milk sample, the test detects antibodies to Bluetongue virus and provides an indication of the level of BTV antibody exposure within the milking herd.

The testing approach used by Animal Health Laboratories is based on an adapted and validated Royal GD bulk milk methodology developed in the Netherlands for monitoring Bluetongue antibody prevalence in dairy herds.

Why is this for non-vaccinated herds only?

Bluetongue vaccination produces antibodies which can affect interpretation of an antibody test. This test is therefore intended for non-vaccinated dairy herds and should not be used to assess natural BTV exposure in a vaccinated herd.

What can the test tell me?

• Whether Bluetongue antibodies have been detected in the milking herd.
• Whether there is evidence of previous BTV exposure.
• The estimated level of antibody-positive animals within the milking herd.
• Whether herd antibody exposure appears to be changing when testing is repeated over time.

The result relates to the cows contributing milk to the bulk tank at the time of sampling, rather than every animal present on the farm.

Choose your testing option:

BTV Bulk Milk Herd Check – 1 Test

A one-off test providing a snapshot or baseline of the current BTV antibody status of your milking herd.

• 1 × BTV Bulk Milk Antibody Test
• Sampling and submission instructions
• Laboratory testing
• BTV bulk milk antibody result

BTV Bulk Milk Monitoring Pack – 4 Tests 

Designed for non-vaccinated dairy farmers who want to monitor for changes in BTV antibody exposure over time. Use approximately every 3–4 weeks during the vector-risk season.

TEST 1  →  3–4 weeks  →  TEST 2  →  3–4 weeks  →  TEST 3  →  3–4 weeks  →  TEST 4

This provides approximately 9–12 weeks of ongoing monitoring and allows you to establish a baseline and then look for changes over time.

• 4 × BTV Bulk Milk Antibody Tests
• Sampling and submission instructions
• Laboratory testing for each submitted sample
• Individual BTV bulk milk antibody results

Why monitor during the vector season?

Bluetongue virus is primarily transmitted by Culicoides biting midges, so exposure risk can change throughout the vector-active season. Testing approximately every 3–4 weeks provides a practical way of monitoring a non-vaccinated dairy herd for changes in antibody exposure over time.

Bluetongue antibodies do not develop immediately following infection. Antibody responses generally become detectable approximately 7–14 days following infection or exposure. If exposure has occurred very recently, antibodies may not yet be detectable.

A negative BTV antibody result does not completely rule out very recent exposure.

A representative bulk tank milk sample from your herd. Sampling and submission instructions will be provided with your order.

This test detects antibodies to Bluetongue virus; it does not detect the virus itself and is not intended to diagnose an active clinical case of Bluetongue.

If Bluetongue infection is clinically suspected, contact your veterinary practitioner. Bluetongue is a notifiable disease and suspected cases should be managed in accordance with current Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine requirements. PCR testing may be required where active infection is suspected.