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APHA awarded $100,000 to develop brucellosis vaccine
Wholesale vaccination of livestock can be a cost-effective way of controlling brucellosis.
Vaccine to deliver lasting benefits to human and animal health

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has been awarded $100,000 in the AgResults’ Brucellosis Vaccine Prize competition. The money will be used to develop a vaccine that is effective for use against small ruminants across the developing world.

The APHA received the funding for Phase 1 of the vaccine development and was awarded based on the agency's scientific soundness, suitable research and appropriate manufacturing capabilities.

Dr John McGiven, who is leading the project, said: “We feel the AgResults competition elevates recognition of the significance of this insidious and debilitating disease. For many years we have been focusing on improved methods for the serodiagnosis of brucellosis and this research revealed to us a route towards a new type of vaccine against brucellosis.

“This competition gave us additional incentive to pull these innovative concepts together in the belief that we can make a big difference to brucellosis control.”

Brucellosis is a devastating disease that leads to infertility, abortions and decreased milk production. It affects many animals, including small ruminants and is endemic in a number of developing countries.

Wholesale vaccination of livestock can be a cost-effective way of controlling the disease and reducing its impact on human and animal health. However, existing vaccines are unsafe for use in pregnant animals, have variable efficacy, and can harm humans.

The Brucellosis Vaccine Prize Competition, managed by AgResults, has three phases and may run for 10 years. $30 million is available to entrants, with three milestone payments at different stages.

Dr McGiven’s team is now working on Phase 2 of the vaccine development, by developing a proof of concept vaccine that meets efficacy and safety requirements. It is hoped the vaccine will deliver lasting benefits to human and animal health.

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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. 

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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.