Bluetongue is a viral disease transmitted by biting insects that affects ruminants and camelids. Bultavo 3 from the marketing authorisation holder Boehringer Ingelheim (Switzerland) GmbH can be used to vaccinate sheep and cattle against serotype 3.
Bultavo 3 is now available as an authorised vaccine for sheep and cattle against variant (serotype) 3
09.07.2025
As temperatures rise, so too does the activity of disease-carrying insects and the consequent risk of an infection with bluetongue. Outbreaks of serotypes 3 and 8 have occurred in Switzerland since the end of August 2024. In January 2025, Swissmedic authorised "BTVPUR" a combination vaccine against serotypes 1, 2, 4 and 8 for sheep and cattle.
Until now no authorised vaccine has been available in Switzerland against serotype 3, but this has been rectified with the arrival of "Bultavo 3", an authorised vaccine from the authorisation holder Boehringer Ingelheim (Switzerland) GmbH. Based on the data available at the time the application was submitted, Bultavo 3 was authorised under Art. 9a TPA (Therapeutic Products Act; SR 812.21). The vaccine reduces the viral load in the blood of sheep and cattle and prevents or alleviates the typical symptoms of the disease, including bluish discolouration of the tongue, high fever, swelling of the face and limbs and excessive salivation, difficulty swallowing and lameness. Abortions can occur in pregnant animals. The mortality can be very high.
The vaccine is administered to sheep by subcutaneous injection and to cattle by intramuscular injection. Mild local reactions such as swelling at the injection site can often occur, as can a mild fever. Reporting side effects is important, and the reports can be sent by veterinarians, animal owners or the authorisation holder to Swissmedic via the national reporting system.
Supplementary information
Bluetongue: authorisation of the BTVPUR vaccine
Swissmedic authorises the BTVPUR vaccine for the protection of sheep and cattle against the bluetongue serotypes 1, 2, 4 and 8
Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office