February 9, 2023

UK field trials for bovine TB cattle vaccine and skin test move to next phase

The second phase of the CattleBCG vaccine and the Detect Infected among Vaccinated Animals (DIVA) skin test will assess the vaccine's safety, and the safety and performance of the skin test.

Field trials are currently underway on commercial livestock farms across the UK and are expected to be completed in 2023. Phase 2 will include at least five farms and 600 animals, 300 of which will be vaccinated with CattleBCG and the other half will receive a placebo.

The DIVA skin test phase 1 trials began in July 2021, focusing on the safety and performance of the DIVA skin test in unvaccinated animals. It was performed on 10 farms with 524 animals, and was completed in May 2022. Analysis of the results is in progress.

Bovine tuberculosis is one of the most difficult and intractable animal health challenges facing the UK today, costing taxpayers in England approximately GBP 100 million (~US$120 million; GBP 1 = US$1.20) per year. To combat the disease, over 38,000 cattle were slaughtered in England and Wales in 2021.

-      Gov.uk