May 12, 2011

Defra to establish global network against animal diseases

The UK will be protected more efficiently against animal diseases like avian flu and foot and mouth due to an international network of scientific research to be started by Defra this week.

Defra is leading an international network, funded by the EU, linking thousands of scientists across the world allowing them to exchange research, establish common goals and collaborate on developing future controls. It will also underpin early warning systems by identifying what emerging diseases are being picked up abroad.

Ahead of the network's launch, Agriculture and Food Minister Jim Paice said "In this modern age of globalised trade and travel, the risk of animal disease entering the UK is greater than ever. We already have comprehensive international surveillance and outbreak plans, but we must prepare for the challenges in 5, 10 and 15 years' time.

"Countries acting on their own just do not have the resources to research on every disease all of the time, so sharing resources like this will get us maximum protection and value for money."

The EUR1 million (US$1.42 million) EU-funded network will include Canada, US, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Denmark and the UK. It will be divided into three regions namely the Americas, Asia and Australasia, and Europe. Surrounding countries are also expected to feed in. It also hopes that an Africa region will follow.

Examples of major diseases of concern are Avian Influenza; new strains of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) which are circulating in China; and African Swine Fever, which has spread from Africa to Russia.

The network, which also involves the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), will also help to develop control measures for current problems such as TB- or drug- resistant parasites.

One project is on Marek's Disease, a major threat to the global poultry industry. Chickens are vaccinated to prevent them from developing symptoms, but they remain persistently infected so the virus is evolving to become more virulent, prompting the need for a new vaccine every 10-20 years.  There are currently three groups working on this disease across Europe, but the global network will combine this expertise with groups in the US, China and Australia to pool knowledge.

The Defra-led network will also link up with the pharmaceutical industry to identify what products they would be prepared to make so that scientists can base research around a solid end product.