Use of inactivated bluetongue virus serotype 8 vaccine against virulent challenge in sheep and cattle.

The immunisation properties of an inactivated bluetongue virus serotype 8 (BTV-8) vaccine were evaluated in sheep and cattle. Five sheep were vaccinated with one dose of vaccine and five cattle were vaccinated with two doses 28 days apart. Six sheep and five cattle served as unvaccinated controls. All animals were subjected to a virulent BTV-8 challenge, and safety and antibody responses were monitored. All control animals developed disease and viraemia, while vaccinated animals were clinically protected and viraemia was completely prevented.