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Viruses could be used to treat pig infections
pigs
Antibiotic resistance has prompted renewed interest in using phages to treat bacteria.
Leicester research will focus on Brachyspira and Salmonella

New research will investigate bacteriophages, or 'friendly' viruses, that could be used to treat Brachyspira and Salmonella in pigs.

Lead author Martha Clokie from the University of Leicester discussed her upcoming work at the BPEX Innovation Conference.

“In our work in humans we’ve been able to use certain viruses to treat the gut bacterium Clostridium difficile," she explained.

"Plus, because of the phages’ specificity, they can also be used to diagnose which bacteria are causing active infection."

While this method of treating bacteria has been in use for 100 years, rising concerns about antibiotic resistance have prompted a renewed interest in the subject.

“Originally, the specificity of bacteriophages was seen as a challenge and the broad spectrum of antibiotics made them the favoured option when they were discovered," Prof Clokie continued.

"However, bacteriophages are highly specific to their host and only bind to and infect those bacteria. Because of this, they won’t damage the whole flora of the gut which makes them a valuable alternative option to antibiotics."

In future, Prof Clokie says they could be used on-farm or even in abattoirs to reduce carcase contamination. 

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.