New Sheep Scab Diagnostic Test to launch
The Moredun Research Institute and Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) have announced the development of a new diagnostic blood test for Sheep Scab. Caused by the Psoroptes ovis mite, Sheep Scab is a Notifiable Disease in Scotland and one of the most important diseases of an ectoparasitic nature in sheep in the wider UK. The new test detects host antibodies specific to a recombinant antigen found only in the sheep scab mite, meaning that the test can accurately detect if an infection is due to the scab mite and not another ectoparasite.
Moredun and SAC are now calling for the co-operation of vets and farmers in Scotland so that the new test's results can be successfully integrated with skin samples taken from animals believed or suspected to have a sheep scab infection. Veterinary surgeons interested in doing so are advised to contact their local SAC Veterinary Services Disease Surveillance Centre (DSC) for details.
Commenting, Dr Alasdair Nisbet of Moredun said “The development of a sensitive and specific blood test provides an important tool to aid control strategies for sheep scab. We appreciate the support of farmers and vets in submitting blood samples during this introductory phase, prior to the launch of the test for routine use at veterinary disease surveillance and investigation centres throughout the UK.”
More information about the research can be found here.
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
