Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 22nd December 2020
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

APHA appoints Eville & Jones to run bovine TB vaccine field trials
The vaccine trials are one of a number of measures to eradicate bTB in England by 2038.
Trials will be conducted over four years on behalf of Defra and the Welsh and Scottish governments. 

Clinical research organisation Eville & Jones has been appointed by the APHA to run field trials of the bovine tuberculosis (TB) cattle vaccine (CattleBCG) and companion DIVA (Detecting Infected amongst Vaccinated Animals) skin test.

In July, Bovine TB (bTB) cattle vaccination trials were given the go-ahead in England and Wales in a bid to develop a cattle vaccine by 2025. The vaccine trials follow 20 years of research by government scientists and will be conducted over the next four years on behalf of Defra and the Welsh and Scottish governments.

A statement from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) reads: 'Following an open competition, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has awarded a contract to Eville & Jones, to run veterinary field trials of CattleBCG vaccine and the companion DIVA (Detecting Infected amongst Vaccinated Animals) skin test.

'Eville & Jones have brought together an experienced team to deliver the project. APHA will now start to work with Eville & Jones and the project team to confirm timelines and identify suitable herds for the field trials scheduled to start next year.

'The field trials will be conducted on behalf of Defra, the Welsh Government and the Scottish Government, following more than 20 years of ground-breaking research into bovine TB vaccines and diagnostic tests.

'Further information about the next stages of the field trials will be communicated in due course.'

The vaccine trials are one of several measures to eradicate bTB in England by 2038. Other measures include plans to phase out intensive badger culling in England, improve the cattle testing regime and vaccinate more badgers against the disease.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said: “Bovine TB is a slow-moving and insidious disease which can cause considerable trauma for farmers as they suffer the loss of highly prized animals and valued herds.

“This scientific breakthrough is a major step forwards in our battle to see the disease eradicated from this country. As wider preventative measures like cattle vaccines are introduced, we will accelerate other elements of our strategy and start to phase out badger culling in England, as no one wants to continue the cull of a protected species indefinitely.”

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.