Issue 27 Autumn 2007
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Moredun Response to FMD Outbreak August 2007 The announcement on Friday 3 August 2007 that Foot and Mouth disease was once again present in the UK elicited a response from Moredun in line with its position as a leading animal health and welfare organisation with strong links to the farming community. With biosecurity foremost in the minds of senior management, an emergency meeting was held on the morning of Monday 8 August. This meeting drew together the relevant members of staff who were able to make urgent decisions on how Moredun would conduct its business in light of the newly imposed restrictions issued by Defra. In order to protect livestock on site at Pentlands Science Park the following actions were taken: • No animal movements, including those from Moredun’s own farm; • Farm gates were closed with no vehicular access; • Disinfectant mats for visitors on foot were placed at access points to the farm; • Those living in livestock farms, or those who had been in contact with
livestock since confirmation of the outbreak on Friday 3 August, were forbidden to enter the farm at Pentlands Science Park. This exclusion applied to visitors in addition to staff and tenants of the science park. • All diagnostic and research samples arriving at Moredun were subject to a strict reception procedure where every sample received was treated as being suspect. Perhaps the most difficult decision to be made was the postponement of the Moredun Open day scheduled for Friday 10 August. With the event
Moredun’s farm closed its gates and prohibited all vehicle access during the recent FMD outbreak
imminent and the arrangements finalized, this announcement was a great disappointment to both those involved in the preparations and to the hundreds of invited guests due to attend. However we are hopeful that the FMD outbreak will be declared over soon and when restrictions are lifted we can announce the rescheduled date for the Open Day.
In this Issue
Your Opportunity to Shape Future Research Strategies Do you want to contribute to the formation of the future research strategy in Scotland? The Scottish Executive is seeking views on its future Environment, Rural and Marine Research Strategy, and a group (SNIFFER) has been commissioned to conduct an initial scoping review over the next three months. The aim of this review is to collect the views of a wide range of stakeholders on the policy and scientific challenges
in the environment, rural and marine sectors that Scotland will face over the next 30 years. As a main research provider for the Scottish Executive, Moredun is keen that its members and supporters register their views on the areas of research they feel should be considered in future research strategies. You have until 29 September to contribute by submitting your comments and ideas through the following website http://www.researchhorizons.org.uk
On the alert for Bluetongue ……………… 3 HRH supports collaboration …………… 3 Sheep scab update ……
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New grants ……………… 5 Animal Health Roadshow dates ………
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Staff pages ……………… 7
Editors Comments There is one word at the forefront of our minds in this issue and that is BIOSECURITY. For the last few years Moredun scientists have travelled the length and breadth of the country preaching the doctrine about how biosecurity is the cornerstone of a healthy, and therefore successful, livestock industry (see News Sheets: Vol.3 , No.12, August 2001 and Vol. 4, No.12, Aug 2006). The current outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease together with the threat of bluetongue virus highlights the importance of biosecurity procedures with regard to exotic diseases. At the time of writing hopes are high that the current F&M outbreak has been contained and normality might resume sometime soon. This issue contains a number of successes attributable to Moredun scientists and staff. The award of significant research funding from the BBSRC to study Chlamydia abortion and worm infestations in sheep and ileitis in pigs reflects the internationally competitiveness and the UK relevance of our research. Progress continues to be made in addressing other endemic diseases and the developments of diagnostic tests and vaccines relating to sheep scab and Johne’s disease are highlighted inside this issue. An old truism is that staff are the most important asset of any organisation and at Moredun we have evidence of that in the award of an MBE to Dr Peter Nettleton and an Honorary Professorship to David Knox, Head of the Division for the Control of Parasitic Diseases. The recognition of our Human Resources section as being the best for a medium sized organisation in Scotland recognises our commitment to our staff to provide the best possible support to their endeavours.
Professor Willie Donachie Deputy Director of Moredun and Editor
Stop Press Moredun’s latest annual report is now available to be downloaded from the Moredun website: www.moredun.org.uk/annrep.asp.
I hope you enjoy this issue.
Commerce supports research Moredun Scientific Limited, the commercial arm of the Moredun Group has announced that it will fund a three year PhD studentship at Moredun Research institute. This studentship, worth £60,000 over three years, will study the virus which causes infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR). The aim of the project is to look at the differences between virus strains which cause only respiratory disease and those strains which cause more serious disease, including abortion and death. The PhD studentship will commence in October 2007 and the successful student will look at specific virus genes and the spread of the virus to various tissues to help work out why some viruses cause more severe signs than others.
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Interpretating Biodiversity The Gateway Project Moredun is delighted to be involved with the development of the Gateway – a new £15.7M visitor centre that will open at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh in 2009. The Gateway - Scotland’s National Biodiversity Centre will include interpretation and exhibition areas, a science studio and a community education area and will focus on themes such as climate change, biodiversity, sustainability and health. The project is being managed by the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh and has been funded in the main by the Scottish Executive and the Heritage Lottery Fund. Once open, the Gateway will offer a full programme of free public events designed to communicate topical issues in contemporary life sciences. Speaking at the launch of the project, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead said: “The Gateway will provide a showcase opportunity
Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs hopes that the Gateway will help promote key environmental messages.
to display and communicate Scotland’s science to the wider public and promote key environmental messages. Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive of Moredun was delighted that Moredun was a member of the planning group and advisory body of The Gateway. “This is a very exciting development and the inclusion of a wide range of organisations within this initiative will ensure a broad and balanced programme of events. It will also provide an excellent public platform for Moredun’s work and so complement our own knowledge transfer activities.”
Bluetongue - the Facts luetongue disease is caused by a virus and affects all ruminant animals such as cattle, goats, deer but sheep are most severely affected by the disease.
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There is a real concern that re-emergence of the virus in Northern Europe may increase the risk of the bluetongue
Clinical signs fo bluetongue in sheep include swelling of the mouth, head and neck
virus spreading to the UK. Since August 2006, bluetongue has been present in Netherlands, Belgium, Northern France, Western Germany and Luxembourg. The virus is spread by biting midges of the Cullicoides family. Usually the midge population dies out during the winter months but it is thought that some of the midges in Northern Europe survived the mild winter, which has led to the disease re-emerging.
Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Symptoms in sheep may include fever, swelling of the head and neck, lameness, respiratory problems, haemorrhages in the skin and other tissues be accompanied by a high mortality rate. The disease usually causes no apparent illness in cattle and goats but cattle are displaying clinical signs in the current outbreak. These include nasal discharge, swelling and ulceration of the mouth, swollen ulcerated teats and a marked coronitis.
There is a real possibility that midges from Northern Europe could be blown across the sea to south eastern parts of England, bringing the bluetongue virus with them. Farmers are therefore being urged to remain vigilant for clinical signs of this disease. Further information about bluetongue can be found on the Defra website www.defra.gov.uk.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity of starting your Christmas shopping early this year – and all from the comfort of your home! The Moredun Foundation is delighted to offer
three different Christmas cards for sale to members and supporters in 2007. Please see the enclosed merchandise leaflet for further details about this card as well as other gifts we have
www.moredun.org.uk
Be Prepared for Christmas! on offer this year. Remember these items and many other goods can be bought throughout the year on our website www.moredun.org.uk/shop.
HRH Princess Royal Encourages Collaboration Moredun’s Patron, HRH The Princess Royal stressed the importance of scientific collaboration at a national lecture hosted by Moredun in May. HRH The Princess Royal gave the opening address at The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), Scottish Agricultural and Biological Research Institutes (SABRI) and Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) annual lecture. This year’s lecture was given by Professor Sir John Skehel, former Director of the MRC National Institute for Medical Research. The fascinating lecture was entitled ‘The Origins of Pandemic Influenza’ and examined how influenza viruses can spread and, occasionally, cross the species barrier.
In her opening address HRH The Princess Royal commented; “There is a broad spectrum of animal health and welfare research being conducted today. This research serves a very important function in maximising the health of the nation’s livestock but it is vital that research groups continue to collaborate in order to make the best of the limited resources available.” At the end of the lecture HRH The Princess Royal presented the prizes for the national SABRI/SAC PhD competition, which was also held at Moredun the day before the lecture, before chatting with some of the staff from each of the SABRI’s and SAC over lunch.
HRH Princess Royal highlighted the importance of scientific collaboration
“Both these events have been a tremendous success” said Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive of Moredun. “We are delighted that our Patron HRH The Princess Royal could give an opening address to Professor Sir John Skehel’s captivating lecture.” 3
Parasitic Worms and Anthelmintic Resistance Survey - Can You Help?
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Moredun scientists are appealing for help in conducting a survey looking at the parasitic nematode populations throughout the UK. Parasitic worms (nematodes) represent one of the most serious health problems of grazing livestock in the UK and throughout the world, causing significant disease, animal welfare problems and economic loss. The Moredun Parasitology Division, with funding from the Combating Endemic Diseases of Farmed Animals for Sustainability (CEDFAS) initiative detailed on page 5, are planning to survey a significant number of farms in 2008 for the presence of sheep nematodes, in particular two of the most economically important, Teladorsagia (brown stomach worm) and Haemonchus (barber’s pole worm).
Thank you! Moredun scientists would like to thank the hundreds of people who took part in the abortion survey that was run earlier this year. The survey helped collect information on the prevalence of Enzootic Abortion of Ewes (EAE) in the UK. The results of this survey will help researchers develop a better understanding of the epidemiology of EAE and enable the losses due to EAE as well as the costs of adopting different methods of control to be estimated.
The study aims to use state-of-the-art molecular genetic techniques to investigate which parasite species are present on UK farms throughout the year and how this changes over time and under different management regimes. Moredun researchers also intend to investigate anthelmintic resistance, to improve their understanding of how it develops and spreads within parasite populations and to help combat the threat of resistance in the future. Moredun would like to ask Foundation members with sheep flocks of greater than 30 animals to help with this project. Further information about the survey is included with this mailing. If you would like to be involved, please complete and return the enclosed slip to Moredun.
The results of this survey will be printed in the next edition of Moredun from Moredun and will also be available to download from the Moredun website.
A new test for Johne’s Disease? Diagnosis and control of Johne’s disease is problematic particularly because of the lack of reliable accurate tests that can detect subclinically infected animals.
Research at Moredun has identified numerous proteins that may be useful as diagnostic markers for the detection of Mycobacterium avium, subspecies paratuberculosis in animal
not yet showing overt symptoms. Characterisation of the proteins is underway by Moredun scientists and their collaborators in the US.
Sheep Scab - working towards eradication Sheep scab is an allergic dermatitis caused by the mite Psoroptes ovis. This disease is highly contagious and has a significant economic and welfare importance in the UK where there has been an inexorable spread of the
disease in recent years. It is thought by many that it is only a matter of time before the mites become resistant to the chemicals currently used to control them so researchers at Moredun have therefore been focusing their efforts to try and develop a vaccine against sheep scab.
Vaccine Development
Scab mite Psoroptes ovis causes an allergic dermatitis in sheep
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The scab mite induces an allergic reaction and researchers have now identified all of the major allergens involved. Some of these allergens are common to other parasites and insects, indicating that they are important or essential proteins for these organisms, and therefore good vaccine candidates and plans for a vaccine trial using some of these allergens are in progress.
Future Diagnostic Test? Moredun scientists are also hopeful that they will be able to develop a diagnostic assay for sheep scab. A blood test would be useful since the mites are difficult to see on the skin particularly in low-level, chronic infections. Studies at Moredun on the immune responses to the parasite have highlighted several candidates for such a diagnostic test (based on the presence of blood antibodies to specific mite proteins) and we hope to secure additional funding to develop this assay further.
Moredun secures over £2.2m to help tackle endemic diseases in farm animals oredun scientists have been successful in securing over £2.2 million in research grants to look at key endemic diseases in the UK.
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This was part of £11.5M of new research funding awarded to researchers throughout the UK in July in order to help generate a better scientific understanding of the behaviour and spread of some of the endemic diseases affecting farmed animals in the UK. The initiative, Combating Endemic Diseases of Farmed Animals for Sustainability (CEDFAS), aims to deploy cutting edge science to deal with the diseases causing the most harm to livestock in the UK. Of the 10 grants awarded, Moredun was the most successful Institute, leading on two projects, and contributing significantly to a third. The first study involves the improvement of detection, prevention and treatment of enzootic abortion in sheep and ileitis in pigs whilst the second and third studies will help identify new measures to control stomach worm infections. Enzootic Abortion of Ewes results in late-term abortion principally in sheep and goats. Abortion is caused by the bacterium Chlamydophila abortus which is the single most common cause of infectious abortion in sheep in the UK, costing the industry approximately £30 million a year. Ileitis is quite different in that it is an intestinal infection in pigs that produces tumour-like lesions in the gut wall resulting in diarrhoea and weight loss, affecting wellbeing and productivity. The disease is caused by the bacterium Lawsonia intracellularis and around 90% of pig herds are infected. Researchers at Moredun and the University of Glasgow will characterise and analyse the genome sequences of
the proteins involved in causing disease from these two economically important pathogens. The groups will also investigate how the proteins vary in different bacterial strains and how they interact with the animals immune defence mechanisms. This will help identify why some individual bacteria are more successful at infection, ultimately leading to improvements in the detection, treatment and prevention of these devastating diseases. Parasitic gastrointestinal nematodes (worms) represent one of the most serious and common diseases of sheep in the UK and throughout the world, causing significant disease, animal welfare problems and economic loss. The disease causes the biggest loss of sheep production in the UK through poor food absorption, reduced growth rates, and poor meat and fleece quality, as well as impacting on the welfare of the animals. Control is heavily dependent upon the routine treatment of livestock with anti-parasite drugs (anthelmintics) but parasitic worms have become resistant to these drugs in many regions of the world.
Researchers at Moredun and the University of Edinburgh will try and define the early interactions between the stomach and incoming larvae in order to contribute to the development of vaccines to bring control by vaccination a step closer. Using cutting-edge technology, the host mechanisms required to exclude or expel the incoming larvae or control their development will be identified. In a separate project, researchers at the University of Glasgow, Moredun and the Sanger Institute will develop molecular tools which detect and monitor resistance to investigate how it develops and how it may be combated. The genetic diversity of parasites collected from sheep throughout the UK will be recorded to identify mutations in genes that confer resistance and thus help develop better anthelmintics. CEDFAS is led by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and is also backed by the Scottish Executive.
Top of page: Chlamydial abortion is the most commonly diagnosed cause of infectious abortion in sheep in the UK Above: Parasitic worms cause significant disease, animal welfare problems and economic loss. 5
November Roadshow - Dates Released
Taking Animal Health Messages to the Masses
Moredun is delighted to announce the details of their 2007 animal health Roadshow. Eight meetings have been arranged so far, but keep an eye on local press and the Moredun website for extra dates! As always, some of the meetings will be held in conjunction with SAC and the Welsh Assembly’s Farming Connect. Entrance to all of the roadshow meetings will be free of charge and all will begin at 7.30pm.
Moredun vets and scientists had a very busy summer, attending a total of seven agricultural events throughout the UK. Moredun ran a sheep health seminar covering issues such as liver fluke, louping ill and lameness at Welsh Sheep in May. Moredun also had stands at the Lanark Beef Event, Northsheep and Southwest Sheep. Finally, Moredun ran workshops at the Hill Sheep event held in Fife in June and had a large stand at the Royal Welsh Show in July.
For further information contact Margaret Bennett at the Foundation office or on the forthcoming events pages of the Moredun website www.moredun.org.uk/events . Tuesday 6 November Management of the Pregnant Ewe Douglas Arms Hotel, Castle Douglas Speaker – Neil Sargison Wednesday 7 November Management of the Pregnant Ewe Carfraemill Inn, Carfraemill Speaker – Neil Sargison Thursday 8 November OPA and CLA Dewar’s Centre, Perth Speakers – Dr Chris Cousens & Graham Baird Monday 12 November Worm and Coccidiosis Control Hexham Auction Market, Hexham Speaker – Dr Frank Jackson Tuesday 13 November Worm and Coccidiosis Control Ryedale Indoor Bowls Club, Norton Speaker – Dr Frank Jackson Monday 19 November Johne’s Disease Tulloch Castle Hotel, Dingwall Speakers – Dr Karen Stevenson & George Caldow
In addition to the usual technical information provided by Moredun animal health specialists and researchers at these shows, Moredun developed a range of fun interactive exhibits on various animal health topics to appeal to school children and the general public. Educational stands were taken to both Welsh Sheep and South West Sheep and the entire Moredun marquee
Moredun hopes to develop an email alert system for its members, so that practical information about disease can be sent to them when they need it most.
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If you would like to be included in this initiative, please email margaret.bennett@moredun.org.uk with the subject header ‘email alerts’.
Successful VETAID Kilimanjaro Challenge to be repeated next year 2008 will be the third year that VETAID offers its supporters and members of the public the chance to take part in this unique event. The VETAID Kilimanjaro Challenge combines the opportunity to climb Kilimanjaro – the highest peak in Africa at 5895m – and visit one of VETAID’s projects working with Maasai communities in Tanzania. This gives participants a unique insight into the daily life of disadvantaged Africans who depend on animals for
Gregynog, near Newtown Speaker – Dr Frank Jackson
Nant y ffin Motel, Landisillio Speaker – Dr Frank Jackson
One of Moredun’s science communicators chats to children at the Royal Highland Show
Electronic Animal Health Information
Wednesday 21 November Liver Fluke in Sheep and Cattle
Thursday 22 November Liver Fluke in Sheep and Cattle
at the Royal Highland Show was dedicated to education this year, as Moredun operated as a satellite activity centre for the Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET). With the theme ‘War of the worms’ Moredun highlighted the problem of parasites and the work that is being done to minimise their effect on sheep health and welfare.
Kilimanjaro summit VETAID supporters, Meritxell Donadeu and Paul Crowley, along with their mountain guide, Nicolas, reach the summit of Kilimanjaro at 5,895m
their survival. They will be able to see for themselves the impact the money they have raised is having on the communities that VETAID supports. “The trip really was an opportunity of a lifetime. Just as I thought I’d had the best day of my life the next got better. Climbing Kili was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done but it was so rewarding. Meeting the Maasai children at the VETAID project is something I will remember for years to come” says one VETAID Kilimanjaro Challenge 2006 trekker. Anyone can take part in the trek and will need to raise a minimum sponsorship amount. Numbers are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. For further information or an application pack, please contact Sophie Clay at VETAID on 0131 445 6244 or sophie@vetaid.org.
Honorary Professorship for Moredun Scientist
Moredun’s HR Achievements Recognised
Welcome to Ashley Baird who recently joined Moredun as a science communicator. Ashley has an honours degree in Biological Sciences (Immunology) with Management and a very keen interest in science communication. Ashley’s appointment is extremely positive for the Moredun Group as she will join the team in the newly created communication centre and help develop new knowledge transfer initiatives.
Jane Gill, Moredun’s Human Resources Manager won a national prize at the ASA HR Excellence Awards 2007. Jane is responsible for HR issues for over 220 staff across the Moredun group and her award was in recognition for her excellent work in leading HR in the small company (20-500) category.
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Dave Knox, Head of the Division for the Control of Parasitic Diseases at Moredun has been awarded an Honorary Professorship at the University of Glasgow. This award reflects the collaboration efforts of Dave and his colleagues in parasitology over many years. Dave will be leading the interaction between the Institute and the University of Glasgow involving all our Divisions in the coming years.
Science Communicator joins Moredun
New Head of Division Appointed Congratulations to Professor David GE Smith, who took up position of Head of Control of Bacterial Diseases at Moredun Research Institute in July. David’s research interests include gastrointestinal infections such as the important foodborne pathogens
E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in addition to livestock pathogens such as Lawsonia intracellularis. The underlying theme of David’s work is improving understanding how these microorganisms cause disease in order to identify components that may be used in the control of these infections.
Moredun Scientist Receives MBE Moredun is delighted to announce that Dr Peter Nettleton has been awarded an MBE in the 2007 Queens Birthday Honours list. The award was in recognition of Peter’s his services to veterinary medicine and acknowledges his outstanding contribution to basic and veterinary virology, to animal disease control in the UK, and to the encouragement and development of current and future animal scientists. Peter Nettleton is respected nationally and internationally as both a scientist and communicator able to engage at
every level. He retired from Moredun in January 2007 after an outstanding research career in veterinary virology. His main research interests included orf in sheep, louping ill, poxviruses of red squirrels, and pestiviruses such as BVD and border disease. John Jeffrey, Chairman of Moredun Research Institute was delighted that Peter had received this accolade and spoke warmly of his abilities; “Peter has an amazing talent of communicating the complexities of the science of virology in understandable language to both farmers and others working in animal health. 7
Moredun Foundation Newsheet Books - VOLUMES 1 & 2 Earlier newsheets produced by the Moredun Foundation are also available as paperback books.
The Moredun Foundation
News Sheets 1-30 Volume 1
The Moredun Foundation
News Sheets 1-30 Volume 1
Subjects covered in Volume 1 include ‘Jaagsiekte’, ‘Watery Mouth’, ‘Detection and Treatment of Hypothermia’, ‘Border Disease’, ‘Footrot’ and lots more. Volume 2, launched in October 1999, contains newsheets on subjects like’Maedi Visna’, ‘Pasteurellosis’, ‘Scrapie’, ‘Effective Ectoparasite Control’ and ‘Ovine Abortion’.
ble Now Availa Each volume is available to members for just £15.00 (plus £1.00 postage and packing). Please send orders to: Margaret Bennett The Moredun Foundation Pentlands Science Park Bush Loan Penicuik EH26 0PZ Tel: 0131 445 5111 Fax: 0131 445 6235 Email: margaret.bennett@moredun. org.uk
Moredun Foundation Newsheet Book - VOLUME 3 The Foundation has launched the latest volume of newsheets to be produced in book form. This third compendium of Moredun news sheets contains twenty of our most recent popular articles sent to Moredun Foundation members each quarter as part of their membership package. The topics are a mix of novel articles or an update on earlier publications relating to the diseases which afflict our flocks and herds. Titles include CLA, lameness, sheep scab,
ble Now Availa worm control strategies, liver fluke and orf. Volume 3 is available to members for just £15.00 (plus £1.00 postage and packing). Please send orders to: Margaret Bennett The Moredun Foundation Pentlands Science Park Bush Loan Penicuik EH26 0PZ Tel: 0131 445 5111 Fax: 0131 445 6235 Email: margaret.bennett@moredun.org.uk
The Moredun Foundation
News Sheets 1-20 Volume 3