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AHT begins equine herpes virus vaccine research
Equine herpes virus causes respiratory disease, abortion or fatal illness in newborn foals.
Charity to design a modified live virus vaccine 

The Animal Health Trust (AHT) has begun research into developing a new vaccine to protect against equine herpes virus (EHV-1).

Overseen by Dr Neil Bryant, the research comes after the AHT became aware of a pressing need for progress towards a new and improved EHV-1 vaccine.

In March, the Newmarket-based charity was called upon to work with the racing industry and affected parties in dealing with confirmed cases of EHV-1 abortion in Yorkshire and Suffolk. This need led to the development of an Equine Industries EHV Vaccine Steering Group, comprising of world-renowned experts on both human and equine herpes virus.

Chaired by Professor Joe Brownlie of the RVC, the steering group has looked at the existing scientific evidence and agreed the most appropriate way forward is for the AHT to design a modified live virus (MLV) vaccine.

“We’re at the beginning of a very exciting and potentially ground-breaking vaccine development,” said Dr Bryant. “Through our research, we will construct different viruses with attenuating mutations and assess their suitability as MLVs.

“We hope our findings will enable further development by vaccine manufacturers in creating an effective vaccine to protect against the serious clinical signs induced by EHV-1.”

EHV-1 causes respiratory disease, abortion or fatal illness in newborn foals. It also causes neurological disease in adult horses.

Whilst EHV can have severe consequences, there is no vaccine that is licensed to protect against the neurological form of the disease. Existing vaccines do not offer sufficient protection - something that was emphasised in 2016 by the Hertfordshire ‘abortion storm’ in fully vaccinated animals.

“EHV is a major welfare concern for horses and foals and causes emotional, as well as financial strains, on horse owners and breeders around the world,” said Dr Bryant. “It can strike any horse at any time so a vaccine will be of global welfare benefit to all horses, including the Thoroughbred and sports horse breeding industries, and would help control this serious and sometimes fatal disease.”

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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.