Animal Health News

Johne’s disease is often missed in sheep, but can cause serious production losses. Sarah Kidby spoke to experts about cost-effective control.

Urgent action has been demanded to protect the UK from a host of diseases with the potential to devastate British farming and jeopardise food supply, following a Countryside Alliance investigation.

The EAE vaccine, Cevac Chlamydia, is now back in stock after supply challenges last year, with vets encouraging farmers to vaccinate their ewe lambs and shearlings for EAE (enzootic abortion of ewes).

English livestock farmers have been encouraged to sign up for free vet visits through the TB Advisory Service (TBAS) before the service’s funding ends. 

The discovery of a strain of avian influenza in a sheep for the first time should be a reminder to sheep keepers of the importance of biosecurity on holdings with poultry, said the National Sheep Association.

The National Pig Association has urged pig producers to make every effort to prevent an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) and to ensure they are prepared in case the virus does hit their own unit or one close by.

Three cases of foot-and-mouth disease have been confirmed close to the Slovakian and Hungarian border. The cases were identified in three separate premises housing cattle. 

The UK’s chief veterinary officer has confirmed a case of influenza of avian origin (H5N1) in a single sheep in Yorkshire following repeat positive milk testing.   

A livestock vet, John Hemingway from Shropshire Farm Vets, is urging farmers to mark and test any ewes that abort this year or to submit abortion material immediately for analysis to identify the cause and prevent further catastrophic losses. 

The UK government has introduced special measures to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), after a case was confirmed in Hungary.  

UK livestock producers are expected to be “hugely concerned” following confirmation of the foot-and-mouth disease in another European country. 

Elanco’s free Blowfly Watch service has re-launched to keep farmers informed of the risk of blowfly strike in their local area.