Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 1st December 2020
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

New Johne's disease test developed
The test detects live infectious agent as well as antibodies against MAP.

Test provides more accurate, rapid and quantitative results.

Scientists at the Queen's University Belfast and the Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS) have developed a new test for Johne's Disease (JD) that could make it faster and easier to detect the condition in dairy cattle.

The new test, described in the journal Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, is reported to be more rapid and sensitive in detecting the infectious agent (MAP) of JD in veterinary specimens and has shown greater detection capability than the current milk-ELISA test.

Crucially, the test detects live infectious agent, not just antibodies against MAP as detected by milk-ELISA. It can also be applied to faeces and blood from livestock, in addition to bovine milk.

Researchers hope the test will generate more accurate data on the prevalence of JD - particularly within Northern Ireland, where the true prevalence of the disease is not accurately known. 
 
Professor Irene Grant from Queens University Belfast said: "I hope our test will offer more accurate, rapid and quantitative results, and therefore help farmers and vets make more informed decisions about the infection status of animals in order to control the disease more effectively within herds.

"I also hope it will generate more accurate data on the prevalence of JD within Northern Ireland and therefore build a better picture of this animal-health problem.”

The team now hopes to further develop and validate their test for MAP infection at farm level.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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.