Schmallenberg causing deformities
Schmallenberg causing deformities in east of England lambs
An emerging livestock disease caused by the Schmallenberg virus that was first detected in Germany late last year has been causing deformities in newborn lambs, goat kids and calves on farms in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and now the UK.
Schmallenberg – named after the place in Germany where the first sample of the virus was identified – causes deformities and still births in sheep, goats and cattle but does not have major clinical signs in adult animals, making it quite difficult to spot.
* Picture Copyright Defra.
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Better vaccines for humans and animals
How to make better vaccines for humans and animals
Researchers at the Institute for Animal Health (IAH) and collaborators at the Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, have discovered why some vaccines are not as effective at stimulating an immune response as we would hope and have investigated ways in which improvements could be made.
The research was led at IAH in Compton, Berkshire, by Dr Jayne Hope (who is now based at The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh), Dr Efrain Guzman and Dr Bryan Charleston. The work is published this week in the journal, Vaccine. The project is funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).
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FMD pioneer retires from IAH after almost 40 years
Dr Nigel Ferris MBE has retired after almost 40 years at the Institute for Animal Health in Pirbright. Dr Ferris is at the forefront of diagnostics for foot-and-mouth (FMD) and other diseases, with his kits leading the field for at least 20 years and a new generation of kits on the horizon thanks to his recent work. His work has had far-reaching positive impacts for livestock farmers and international trade, contributing to animal health and welfare as well as economic and food security in the UK and beyond.
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