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Study to explore threat of fatal disease in deer
"We hope to shed light on how this disease could affect deer farms and wild deer populations" - Dr Fiona Houston.
Findings will inform control strategies for chronic wasting disease.

Scientists at the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute have launched a new project to understand the threat of Chronic Wasting Disease on European deer.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a progressive brain condition, similar to BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) in cattle, that affects deer and related species such as reindeer, moose and elk. Found primarily in North America, there have also been a small number of cases in Europe in recent years. 

Through this study, researchers hope to inform efficient strategies to control infections and to understand the risks posed by CWD to farmed livestock and humans. 

“We hope to shed light on how this disease could affect deer farms and wild deer populations – how infection occurs, how it spreads among deer and how it could potentially cross into other species,” explained Dr Fiona Houston of the Roslin Institute. “With better insight, we can identify useful approaches to monitor and limit the likelihood of costly outbreaks.”

CWD is a fatal neurological disease that causes emaciation, loss of bodily functions and abnormal behaviour. It belongs to the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) group of diseases, that also includes BSE in cattle and transmissible mink encephalopathy in farmed mink. 

In the study, researchers will analyse cases in Norway and Sweden to develop a greater understanding of how CWD spreads. The international team will study details such as age, location, movements of affected deer and data on deer populations in these countries. 

Guided by mathematical tools, the project aims to identify the disease and predict its potential spread so researchers can develop and test control strategies. Currently, farmed animals that contract CWD must be culled. 

The team also aims to understand how an animal’s genes influence its susceptibility to disease. Defining the genes that make animals more resilient to infection could lead to selective breeding in farmed animals or support research into a vaccine, scientists say.

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Antibiotic Amnesty survey opens

News Story 1
 The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance - Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA - CA&E) has launched a survey which seeks to measure the success of this year's Antibiotic Amnesty campaign.

Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November. Practices are also asked how they engaged with clients to raise awareness of the issue.

Participating practices can enter a prize draw to win up to 100 in vouchers for taking part. Further prizes from BSAVA and Webinar Vet will be available for practices with the best input.

The survey takes a few minutes to complete and will be running throughout December. It can be accessed via this link

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA survey investigates sheep worrying

The National Sheep Association (NSA) has launched its latest survey to better understand the severity of sheep worrying in the UK.

The survey will be open until Friday, 21 February 2025. UK sheep farmers are invited to share their experiences of sheep worrying by dogs and its impact on the industry.

NSA has been gathering information about sheep worrying for over 10 years as part of its campaign to raise awareness of incidents and produce new ways of educating the public.

Sheep worrying, often caused by dogs being loose near fields, can result in physical injury, miscarriage and death of animals affected.

The results of the survey will be shared with interested parties, including the UK press, before spring and ahead of lambing season next year.

For more information, or to complete the survey, visit NSA's website.