Practices urged to take part in bTB vaccine trials

Vet practices are being asked to come forward to support field trials for a new bTB vaccine.

The APHA has awarded a contract to run field trials of CattleBCG vaccine and the companion differentiating infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA) skin test.

Interested veterinary practices are now being sought to support the field trials on suitable farms that meet the inclusion criteria.

Criteria

The first phase of the project will look at the safety and specificity of the DIVA test in TB-free herds in England’s Low Risk Area and the Low TB Incidence Area in Wales. The following criteria will need to be met in farms:

• officially TB free for eight years or more
• not in a current TB hotspot, or in a radial or contiguous testing regime
• TB test window of May through to end of October 2021 or willing to undertake an additional private TB test on selected trial animals
• approximate herd size of 60-plus animals
• availability of the same practice vet to visit the herd on a daily basis for two weeks
• ideally a closed herd or with minimal purchases

Arrangements

Vets interested in taking part in the research project, and that have suitable farms they believe would be willing to participate, can email Lindsay Heasman.

Details of contractual arrangements will follow on from any enquiry.