Scots Confirm Schmallenberg as FMD Vaccine Progress is Announced

With a heavy midge presence in Scotland and increasing outbreaks in northern England the confirmation of the Schmallenberg virus (SBV) is a fully expected but nonetheless disappointing blow to farmers.

This was the message of the Scottish Farmers Union President, Nigel Miller, who this week urged farmers to consult with vets to minimise the advance of SBV.

The disease, originating from the central German town of Schmallenberg and spreading through Europe into Scandinavia is a midge borne virus.

Although not notifiable it can impact hugely on lambing and calving seasons with congenital defects and still-born animals resulting from infection.

Despite scientists currently working on a vaccination, the onus is currently on farmers to introduce on-farm management changes, such as delaying bulling and tupping to reduce contact possibility between the vectors and the pregnant female with the at-risk foetus.

But while Europe waits on news of a currently pending SBV vaccination, a giant step in foot-and-mouth (FMD) control has been confirmed.

A new synthetic vaccination has been developed that will mean treatments could be developed without relying on the growth of live infectious viruses.

This new vaccination methodology, which hinges on the use of capsids (the protein shell of the virus), is expected to reduce the possibility of an empty shell vaccine returning to a dangerous infectious form.

The development has been hailed as being close to the ‘holy grail’ of vaccines by Professor David Stuart, University of Oxford, who co-led the project with Dr Bryan Charleston, Head of Livestock Viral Diseases Programme at The Pirbright Institute.

Dr Charleston and Professor Stuart’s team built on previous research that showed intact virus particles stimulate best immune responses.

Main improvements from the research relate to reductions in establishment and running costs of FMD vaccine production systems.

The team has said that large bio-reactors in high containment facilities will no longer be required to develop FMD treatments.

This is because the vaccine is much more stable and tolerant of ambient temperatures, qualities that will have cost saving effects on transport and storage.

Furthermore, discrimination between infected and vaccinated animals will be apparent, which is another important step against a disease that cost the UK £8 billion in 2001.

However, diagnostic tests are still to be developed and an actual marketable vaccine product is still ‘several’ years away.

Staff involved in the research have been congratulated by Universities and Science Minister, David Willets, who described the outcome as a ‘great achievement’.