Animal Health Ireland

Today, African swine fever (ASF) continues to spread in European wild boar populations, while existing management strategies respond to an animal health emergency. The current disease scenario, characterised by constant re-emergence and persistence of infection, poses a fundamental social problem for the future of ASF policy in the affected regions. A World Café workshop was organised with veterinary epidemiology experts from practice, academia and governance. The aim was to explore the problems caused by ASF in Germany for the various stakeholders and to gather perspectives for the long-term management of ASF. The panel of experts linked the unintended extension of the animal health emergency concept to the tensions between the various stakeholders and the risk of system fatigue. Sustainable management approaches need to balance rapid response to outbreaks with long-term management efforts. The experts emphasised the importance of risk-based strategies, stakeholder involvement and evidence-based policies in ASF management. The expert panel also highlighted the need for transparent communication to increase public trust and acceptance. The need for more flexible approaches requires a more open discussion about the intractable challenges posed by the long-term presence of ASF, the adequacy of existing regulations and possible visions for the future.

BackgroundBiosecurity measures are crucial to the introduction and spread of pathogens both within and between farms. External biosecurity focuses on preventing pathogens from entering or leaving the farm, while internal biosecurity aims to limit or stop the spread of pathogens within the farm. Implementing biosecurity measures not only protects animals from disease but also has positive effects on productivity, welfare and farm profitability. By reducing the need for antimicrobials, biosecurity measures also contribute to combating antimicrobial resistance. To assess and improve biosecurity, tools like Biocheck.UGent have been developed. In Ireland, the Biocheck.UGent tool has been widely used in pig farms since 2018. The aims of this study were firstly to assess temporal trends on biosecurity scores in Irish pig farms from 2018 to 2023 using the Biocheck.UGent tool and secondly to identify areas for improvement.ResultsThere was an increase in the number of annual assessments over the study period, with the majority of farms being assessed multiple times. Overall, external biosecurity scores were higher than internal scores. Improvements in the scores were observed over time for most of the subcategories for external and internal biosecurity and across the different farm types. Analysis of the subcategories within the scoring system revealed areas with lower scores, including disease management, cleaning and disinfection, and measures between compartments. Weaner-to-finisher farms tended to have lower scores compared to other farm types.ConclusionsWhile external biosecurity in Irish pig farms is generally high, there is room for improvement in internal biosecurity. This study highlights the importance of continuous efforts to improve biosecurity. The data obtained will aid in estimating the cost–benefit of implementing biosecurity measures, crucial for decision-making and better returns on investments.

CONTEXTIn Ireland, a national Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) eradication programme has been effective in reducing national prevalence and has recently been approved by the European Commission. In anticipation of achieving freedom, there is an ongoing discussion regarding appropriate strategies post-eradication to monitor for continued freedom from Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV) infection of the national cattle sector. OBJECTIVEThe objective of this study is to evaluate the trade-off between the performance of different testing protocols and their associated costs in monitoring BVDV post-eradication in the national cattle sector. By assessing various testing strategies, including bulk tank milk (BTM) testing, first lactation check tests (FLCT), abattoir tests, and youngstock check test (YSCT), the aim is to provide informed input for implementing a long-term sustainable monitoring strategy. METHODSIn this study, we apply alternative testing protocols to a modelled cattle population in County Kerry, a region with a bovine population considered to be representative of the entire Irish population. The analysis incorporates combinations of Bulk Tank Milk (BTM) testing First Lactation Check tests (FLCT), abattoir tests, and Young Stock Check Testing (YSCT). The YSCT, which focuses on high-risk herds by collecting blood samples from young, homebred animals between nine and 18 months of age, was a key component of the analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSAll tested protocols are capable of timely detection of a BVDV outbreak, with detection times of less than one year. Our results highlight the impact of reducing herd coverage by YSCT on post-eradication surveillance for BVDV freedom. By evaluating the trade-off between increased costs and shortened time to detection, this study provides valuable insights for selecting an appropriate monitoring policy in post-eradication programmes. SIGNIFICANCEThe findings of this study offer guidance on balancing costs and detection efficiency in monitoring BVDV post-eradication. Understanding the implications of different testing strategies can aid policymakers in making informed decisions to ensure the continued freedom from BVDV in the national cattle sector. All tested protocols are capable of detecting a BVDV outbreak in a timely manner, with detection times of less than one year. However, our results quantify the impact reducing herd coverage by YSCT within a possible post-eradication surveillance programme for BVDV freedom. We evaluate how more herds covered by young stock sampling shorten the time to detection, but at an increased cost. The trade-off between increase in costs per shortened time to detection provides guidance to choose an adequate policy to implement monitoring of disease freedom in national post-eradication programmes.

The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a tail-biting risk assessment scheme. The scheme consisted of trained private veterinary practitioners (assessors) applying a risk assessment tool on commercial pig farms to six pens per farm. The assessment tool included animal and non-animal-based observations which were used to determine the perceived risk of tail biting for each pen. For this study 27 farms were assessed, and a subsequent batch of pigs from each farm underwent post-mortem tail lesion scoring at the abattoir. The assessments revealed that a high percentage of pens had fully slatted flooring (92%) and mixed-sex populations (84%), with a significant proportion of pens containing pigs which were all tail docked (92%). Most pens (86%) did not allow all pigs simultaneous access to feeders. Enrichment was present in 88% of the pens, but most (46%) were supplied with only one item, and only 15% offering multiple enrichment types. The study found no significant associations between the risk of tail biting and visible injuries, dirty flanks, or tucked tails, as assessed by the assessors (P > 0.05). Similarly, the risk of tail biting reported per pen was not associated with aggressive, damaging, or exploratory behaviours (P > 0.05). At the abattoir, 96% of pigs' tails exhibited minor skin damage, with only 4% showing moderate to severe damage. Furthermore, no links were found between the scores obtained during slaughter and the risk of tail biting, as reported by the assessors (P < 0.05). Although the tool was useful in identifying several improvements that could be made at farm level in areas such as stocking density, enrichment provision and reducing tail docking, overall the results underscored the need for improved training of assessors, and the challenge of associating management practices and animal based measures with tail-biting risk.

Abstract Serology is a vital tool for disease surveillance but relies on obtaining blood samples, which can be difficult especially from wildlife species. Meat Juice Serology (MJS) presents an alternative but requires validation before being more confidently and widely applied. Here, MJS was performed on cattle and wild deer samples from Northern Ireland, to detect antibodies to the viruses that cause Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) and Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) (Pestivirus A/B and Bovine Herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1), respectively). Greater mean volumes of meat juice were obtained from cattle tissue frozen at -20⁰C than those at -80⁰C (p &lt; 0.05). Antibodies to Pestivirus (unspeciated), were detected in three (2.6%) deer serum samples (n = 116), and one paired meat juice sample from deer neck muscle. No antibodies to IBR were detected in any deer (n = 116). In cattle, p80 ELISA performed at recommended dilution (1:9) (n = 40) and showed high correlation between serum and meat juice (r = 0.64, p &lt; 0.05), but poor correlation at adjusted dilution (1:1) (n = 37, r = 0.18, p = 0.28). In deer, meat juice tested at adjusted dilution (1:1) (n = 94) showed moderate correlation with serum tested at recommended dilution (r = 0.49, p &lt; 0.05). For IBR, cattle were tested on gE ELISA (n = 40). High correlation was found between serum and meat juice, tested to manufacturer’s recommended dilution (rho = 0.57, p &lt; 0.05). Deer samples were tested on gB ELISA, and meat juice correlated poorly to serum (n = 113) at both recommended (1:1) (n = 113, r = 0.13, p = 0.25) and adjusted (9:1) dilution (n = 113, r = 0.08, p = 0.52). Meat juice serology may represent an appropriate alternative to serum for Pestivirus and BoHV-1 in cattle, without the need to modify dilution. In deer, this study indicates that meat juice may be used to monitor for Pestivirus, but cannot be recommended for BoHV-1, without further evaluation and quality control.

Employing a theoretical model of human behaviour (COMB), the current study explores the factors influencing veterinarians' engagement with antibiotic use stewardship on Irish dairy farms. One-to-one semi structured interviews were carried out by telephone with 12 veterinarians whose daily work focused on dairy cattle. A thematic analysis approach was undertaken. The identified themes and sub-themes were then mapped to the COM-B model. This study identified challenges faced by veterinarians when trying to prescribe responsibly which included lack of training to encourage farmer behaviour change, issues with laboratory testing, pressures from farmers to prescribe antimicrobials, concern for animal welfare and farmers going elsewhere for prescriptions. Having a good knowledge of AMR, peers as an advice source, potential financial benefits for farmers as a result of reduced antimicrobial costs and accepting a shared responsibility for AMR, facilitate veterinarians in their role as antimicrobial stewards. The barriers and facilitators identified as influencing veterinarians' capability, opportunity and motivation to responsibly prescribe antimicrobials formed the basis for a number of practical recommendations which should be considered by advisory and policy making teams. Recommendations include; continuous training for veterinarians on AMR and alternatives to overcome the barriers faced when trying to promote reduced AMU, veterinarian peer support groups to improve confidence in their knowledge and decision making to minimise the effect of client pressures/expectations, setting up collaborative farmer and veterinarian working groups to promote a transparent working relationship and the development of affordable and efficient diagnostic and susceptibility testing.

Johne’s disease is an infectious disease affecting cattle, other ruminants and non-ruminant wildlife worldwide, caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). This review provides an up-to-date concise overview of the pathogenesis of MAP, the significance of Johne’s disease in cattle and the use of diagnostic testing at both animal and herd level in the context of seasonal pasture-based herds. While MAP can only replicate intracellularly, the bacterium is sufficiently robust to survive for months in the environment. Transmission of MAP is mostly via the faecal-oral route, however in-utero transmission in also possible. The bacteria evade the immune system by persisting in macrophages in the small intestine submucosa, with this latent stage of infection lasting, in most cases, for at least two years before bacterial shedding and clinical signs begin. The slowly progressive nature of MAP infection, poor performance of diagnostic tests and management systems that expose susceptible calves to infection make control of Johne’s disease challenging, particularly in seasonal calving herds. Testing of individual animals provides little assurance for farmers and vets due to the poor sensitivity and, in the case of ELISA, imperfect specificity of the available tests. Repeated herd-level testing is utilised by the IJCP to detect infected herds, identify high risk animals, and provide increasing confidence that test-negative herds are free of infection. The IJCP aims to control the spread of Johne’s disease in cattle in Ireland, in order to protect non-infected herds, limit the economic and animal health impact of the disease, improve calf health and reassure markets of Johne’s disease control in Ireland.

BackgroundA national programme to eradicate bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) has been in place in Ireland since 2013. To inform decision making in the end stages of eradication, and support the development of post-eradication surveillance strategies, an understanding of risks of infection in a low prevalence system is required. MethodsA case-control study design was implemented. The study population comprised bovine herds that had calves born and tested negative for BVD virus (BVDV) every year from 2013 to 2019 (n = 46,219 herds). We defined cases as herds which had one or more test positive calves for the first time in 2019 (n = 204). Controls (n = 816) were randomly sampled from the herds which remained test negative in 2019. The effects of herd size, management system, inward movements, including those of potential trojan dams (pregnant animals brought into the herd that could potentially be carrying infected calves in utero), and proximity to herds testing positive in the preceding year, were investigated. Network analysis approaches were used to generate variables measuring connections with test positive herds through inward cattle movements. A generalised linear mixed model, including a county-level random effect, was used to explore these risk factors. ResultsOur final model retained ln (herd size) (Odds Ratio (95% CI): 1.72 (1.40, 2.12)), distance from test positive herds (0.54 (0.44, 0.66) for each extra land-parcel boundary crossed to reach the closest herd which tested positive the preceding year), and ln (potential trojan dams + 1) (1.29 (1.05, 1.60)). The same variables were retained in the model where herds with confirmed transient infections only (n = 25) were excluded. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that care with biosecurity at farm boundaries and visitors and equipment entering the farm, and avoidance or careful risk assessment of purchasing potentially pregnant animals, may help prevent introduction of BVDV to low-risk herds. At policy level, consideration of herd size, proximity to test positive herds and purchasing patterns of potentially pregnant cattle may help target surveillance measures towards the end of the eradication programme.