Hysolv Animal Health has been appointed as exclusive distributors in the UK and Ireland for the swine flu vaccine, Respiporc Flu 3.
“Outbreaks of swine flu in the UK tend to be sporadic but when the disease occurs it can have a serious financial impact on the pig herd,” said Hysolv director Richard Brealey. “There can be morbidity and deaths in sows, aborted litters and, when spread to finishing stock, the disease affects production performance.”
He also said that with swine flu tending to circulate in pig populations, it can act as a ‘mixing pot’ for the viruses involved with the potential for jumping to other species, including humans.
Developed in Germany by IDT Biologika, the vaccine is a prescription-only medicine. Previously distributed by Merial Animal Health Ltd as Gripovac 3, it is claimed to have “an excellent safety record and is the only vaccine effective against three strains of swine flu”.
“The two-dose, inactivated vaccine provides a high level of immunity in pigs for up to six months, depending on their age,” said Hysolv. “If administered to a sow 14 days before farrowing, it will provide passive maternal immunity to her piglets for 33 days.”