Animal and Plant Health Agency

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) can impact on cattle health and welfare as well as cause economic losses associated with lower productivity but are often overlooked by farmers as a sub-clinical issue. Infections are routinely controlled with prophylactic use of anthelmintics but resistance to the available products has been reported. The prevalence of anthelmintic resistance (AR) in cattle GIN is advancing in certain species, making control more challenging. This study shows the current prevalence and diversity of GIN populations in British commercial cattle herds and the extent of infection in traded animals. Faecal samples were collected from 455 cattle herds; 395 from groups being sold through livestock auctions and a further 60 from samples submitted to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) for monitoring purposes. Faecal egg counts (FEC) were conducted on all samples and nematode eggs recovered for molecular species identification using Illumina MiSeq. Of the traded cattle, 67% had a positive faecal egg count, with a mean FEC of 20 eggs per gram (epg) (95% CI: 11 - 34). Samples from APHA had a mean FEC of 72 epg (95% CI: 56-93). Ostertagia ostertagi and Cooperia oncophora were the most common species identified, with co-infections of these two species found in 87% of samples. A diverse range of additional species were also identified, and these were found to vary with the pedigree status of cattle sampled and geographic location. Our results highlight that most cattle sold at auction were carrying GIN, which included a high prevalence of the pathogenic species O. ostertagi. These findings stress the need for effective biosecurity measures for new and returning cattle to minimise the movement of GIN between farms.

Since September 2023, England's national immunisation programme has offered the recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) to adults aged 65-79 as a preventative measure against shingles (herpes zoster) and its complications. However, adults aged 80 and over are currently not eligible for the vaccine. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of providing RZV to adults aged 80 and older in England. This cost-utility analysis employs a static cohort model considering herpes zoster (HZ) cases and severe cases leading to post-herpetic neuralgia, HZ-related hospitalisation, and deaths from the perspective of the National Health Service. The long-term impacts of RZV are assessed using the model, accounting for changing population demographics and the previously-offered live zoster vaccine (ZVL). We consider different eligibility scenarios for RZV focusing on the older population (80+ years old) and provide comparisons to the pre-2023 programme. Expanding the current programme to offer a single dose of RZV to people aged 80 and up is likely to be cost-effective relative to the current programme. Offering two doses to this group would be less cost-effective but would offer greater protection against HZ. For preventing health-related quality of life loss, it is most efficient to vaccinate 60-69-year-olds, but for averting hospitalisation costs, it is most efficient to vaccinate 80-89-year-olds. Providing one or two doses of RZV for older adults can be cost-effective and would reduce the healthcare burden of shingles.

The optimization of Cannabis sativa L. germination is vital for achieving controlled and uniform cultivation, especially given its growing significance as a medicinal plant rich in bioactive compounds. Since germination strongly impacts subsequent agronomic performance, it requires specific environmental conditions. This study assessed several treatments to improve the in vitro germination of two Moroccan varieties, Beldia and Khardala, including gibberellic acid, hydrogen peroxide, temperature, photoperiod exposure, total darkness, mechanical scarification and salt stress induced by increasing concentrations of NaCl (0, 42.8, 85.5, 171.1, 256.6 and 513.3 mM). Each treatment was performed on a large number of seeds per variety and results were analysed using two-way ANOVA followed by Duncans’ test with P < 0.05. Results revealed that photoperiod exposure moderately stimulated germination (50 %), while hydrogen peroxide (1.5 %) increased it to 77.7 % by reducing the level of abscisic acid, which is responsible for germination inhibition. Gibberellic acid (1.2–1.4 mg/L) further enhanced germination to over 80 % by inhibiting embryonic dormancy and stimulating hormonal pathways. Low-temperature treatment (5 °C) yielded an 83 % germination rate. Mechanical scarification was the most effective method, achieving approximately 90 % germination. In contrast, salinity stress progressively inhibited germination: at 513.3 mM NaCl, germination dropped to 20 % in Khardala and 0 % in Beldia. Seedling growth, including shoot and root length, leaf number and fresh and dry biomass, was also significantly reduced, with root development particularly affected. At 85.5 mM NaCl, root growth declined by 62 % in Beldia and 88.7 % in Khardala, indicating greater salinity sensitivity in Khardala. In conclusion, optimising germination conditions and selecting salt-tolerant varieties are essential for improving the in vitro culture of C. sativa and producing plants better adapted to saline stress.

Tree pests and diseases are a key threat to woodland biodiversity and commercial forestry worldwide. In the UK, the ongoing spread of pests and diseases is severely affecting a range of nationally important tree species, resulting in substantial ecological and economic impacts. As the risk posed by pests and diseases varies across the UK's treescapes, understanding the patterns of risk and the factors underlying these patterns is crucial for designing and implementing effective mitigation strategies. To address this challenge, we modelled the distribution of pests and diseases across mainland Great Britain, focusing on the total pest and disease burdens for nine host tree species of particular ecological, economic and cultural importance. Using integrated species distribution models, we combined two datasets-totalling 18,871 pest and disease records across 22 years-to model the spatial patterns of risk. To examine the factors underlying these distributions, we used graph-based causal inference approaches to inform our model design and to explore the robustness of our conclusions to variations in our modelling assumptions. We found that pest and disease burdens for broadleaved host trees exhibited hotspots in England, while burdens for conifer hosts tended to be high in Scotland. We identified urban area, human population density and local recreation as important drivers for several species, mainly native broadleaves. By contrast, woodland connectivity, afforestation and the level of conifer coverage were the most important drivers of pest and disease burdens for conifer hosts. Deforestation was also an important driver, with effects on pest and disease burdens for both conifers and broadleaves. Our findings have implications for the management of the UK's treescapes in the face of continuing threats from tree pests and diseases, including supporting targeted surveillance and the prioritisation of tree species for future planting.

Abstract Ticks are of medical and veterinary concern due to their role as vectors of a wide range of pathogens, including viruses, protozoa, and bacteria. Accurate species identification is essential during tick surveillance and disease control programmes, as certain pathogens are associated with particular tick species. In this study, genetic variation of a partial sequence of the cytochrome c oxidase I ( COI ) gene was used for molecular identification of tick species to corroborate morphological identification. This also enabled investigation of cryptic diversity within tick species. Thirty species belonging to the genera Amblyomma, Argas, Carios, Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma, Ixodes, Ornithodoros , and Rhipicephalu s were assessed. Tree-topology analysis confirmed discrete clustering of specimens according to species for the majority of taxa. Intraspecific genetic divergence ranged from 0 to 6.08%. In taxa where species complexes are known, separation of discrete groups were found. Several species yielded >2% intraspecific genetic divergence when compared to other taxa, suggesting potential cryptic diversity. DNA barcoding was an effective approach for the morphological identification of UK and non-native ticks, and for the detection of cryptic diversity within species.

BackgroundBovine tuberculosis (bTB), caused by Mycobacterium bovis, is the most significant infectious disease of UK cattle. Badgers (Meles meles) can also be infected by M. bovis and may act as a source of infection for cattle. Management of infection risks could be supported by the availability of sensitive blood tests for bTB in badgers. We explored whether metabolomic changes in peripheral blood could be used for the diagnosis of bTB in wild, naturally infected badgers.MethodsFlow infusion electrospray - high-resolution mass spectrometry (FIE-HRMS) was used to assess the peripheral blood of trapped wild badgers (n = 148) for metabolite changes linked to bTB infection status. Infection status was established by culture, Dual Path Platform (DPP) and interferon (IFN-γ) blood tests or mycobacterial culture. Data were analysed by multivariate and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses.ResultsMetabolite shifts were identified in badger blood samples associated with their corresponding infection status. Biochemical pathway analyses suggested that sphingolipid and glycerophospholipid metabolism was enriched in bTB badgers. However, some individual metabolites changes appeared to differ depending on badger sex.ConclusionOur data shows that metabolomic assessment of peripheral blood can indicate bTB infection status. However, larger sample sizes are required to establish if our metabolites have potential as diagnostic biomarkers.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12917-025-05144-6.

BackgroundSindbis virus (SINV) and Batai virus (BATV) are emerging zoonotic arboviruses with a growing number of detections in Europe. Recent SINV outbreaks in northern Europe and high BATV seroprevalence in sheep, goats, and cattle in Germany emphasise the threat they pose to both animal and human health. Despite their presence in countries of similar latitude and climate, neither of these viruses have been detected in the UK.MethodsZoos are strategic sentinel sites for disease surveillance because they are well monitored and possess a high diversity of animal species. Located in southeast England, where the climate and vector prevalence may provide suitable conditions for viral emergence, London Zoo was selected as the sampling site for SINV and BATV prevalence in mosquito samples between September 2022 and January 2024. In 2020, it was also the first location where Usutu virus was detected in the UK. Adult mosquitoes were collected during host-seeking and overwintering seasons while larvae were collected in the summer months.ResultsA total of 8477 mosquito specimens were analysed, representing all mosquito stages, i.e. including host-seeking and overwintering mosquitoes as well as adults that had emerged from larvae. Mosquitoes of the Culex pipiens/Culex torrentium complex were the most abundant, accounting for 97.5% of the total. Molecular analysis using quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to test for SINV and BATV; however, none of the samples tested positive.ConclusionsThese results suggest that neither SINV nor BATV actively circulated in the sampled area during the study period. The findings provide baseline data for arbovirus surveillance in the UK, particularly at London Zoo, which is home to diverse bird populations that might be potential sentinel populations for viral emergence. Future studies that obtain molecular and serological data on birds or mammals housed at the zoo would complement our surveillance efforts on the emergence or prevalence of SINV and BATV in the UK. This study focused on a single location, but extending sampling and monitoring to other sites across the UK, especially in the southeast, is crucial to strengthening the UK’s preparedness and response strategies in case SINV and BATV emerge in the country in the future.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-025-07149-4.

Antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria are an increasing concern for human and animal medicine. As a result, biosecurity measures such as cleaning and disinfection are becoming heavily relied upon to eradicate and control AMR pathogens. However, evidence of co- and cross-resistance between antimicrobials and disinfectants is rising. The influence of AMR on disinfectant tolerance is poorly understood for pathogens of veterinary and public health importance. Therefore, this study aimed to compare disinfectant tolerance of fluoroquinolone-resistant Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni), Livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), multi-drug-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium), with their antibiotic susceptible counterparts. In vitro disinfectant efficacy was assessed, in the presence of organic matter, against a panel of eight disinfectants from six classes. The disinfectant efficacy varied widely depending on bacterial species and disinfectant class. Furthermore, approved disinfectant concentrations were not always deemed effective. All four bacterial species were typically most susceptible to aldehyde and/or Quaternary Ammonium Compound-based products. Mixed evidence was found to suggest a role of AMR in disinfectant tolerance; no role of AMR was identified in E. coli, C. jejuni or E. faecium, whereas a potential role was identified in S. aureus.

IntroductionQuantitative risk assessments (QRA) are valuable decision-support tools for estimating disease introduction risks in animal populations.MethodsThis review analyzed peer-reviewed QRA studies published between 2010 and 2024 that focused on risk of introduction, aiming to identify methodological trends and challenges.ResultsFrom the 1,933 studies screened, only 34 (2%) met inclusion criteria, primarily assessing risk through movements of live animals (n = 20), animal products (n = 7), both live animals and their products (n = 2), or vectors (n = 5), with no studies addressing aquatic animals. Most QRAs focused on livestock (n= 11 ruminants, n = 6 swine, n = 4 poultry, n = 2 equids and n = 1 ruminants and swine) and diseases like Foot-and-mouth disease, Rabies, Lumpy skin disease, and African swine fever using stochastic approaches, frequently based on scenario tree and WOAH based methodology and supported by expert opinion. Cluster and network analyses revealed distinct methodological groupings and two main collaboration hubs in Europe and the United States.ConclusionKey gaps included limited coverage of certain animal species, pathogens, and consequence assessments, with a predominant focus on import risks. Addressing these limitations can strengthen future QRAs as input for animal disease management.