Work Package Number: 2.1
Running Title: Control of Viral Diseases in Livestock
Policy Context
The Aim of the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy for Great Britain (AHWS) is: ‘To
improve the health and welfare of animals kept by man, and protect public health from
disease’. The development of animal health and welfare policy and its implementation under
the AHWS will be underpinned by high quality science. A vigorous science base and the
outputs of high quality research should be capable of contributing to industry best practice
and thus improving performance of the Scottish livestock sector.
The contribution of this work package on endemic viral diseases is expected to be new
knowledge that will lead to improved vaccines, diagnostics and farm management control
methods. Where possible the work will lead to the development and application of the
resulting new and improved control methods for viral diseases of sheep and cattle. In line
with the principles of the AHWS the work should lead to disease prevention taken forward in
partnership between livestock owners, veterinarians, and Government. Improvements in
virus disease control are expected to contribute to improved animal welfare, improved
nutrient utilisation i.e. reduced N and P pollution and improved carcase quality. These in turn
will assist in protection of the interests of the wider economy and society and securing
opportunities for trade.
Required Outputs
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Improved diagnosis and control of important endemic viral diseases of livestock in
Scotland.
Underpinning knowledge that will enable breeding for disease resistance and vaccine
development:
 innate and specific immune responses to viral pathogens.
 pathogenesis of viral infections.
 Application of functional genomics to study of host-pathogen interactions.
Epidemiological studies:
 understanding patterns of disease through pathogen biology.
 linked to the effects of control measures via surveillance data.
 economics of diseases control.
Molecular epidemiology of viral pathogens.
Impacts of Research
The overall aim is to develop and implement sustainable control measures for endemic viral
diseases of livestock in Scottish livestock systems post CAP reform.
The research should take account of trends for example to extensification and low-input
systems in some areas and increasing use of beef suckler herds in other areas.
The expertise deployed in this work package should maintain flexibility and capability to
adapt to different priorities that might emerge from the AHWS Steering Group.
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Linkages Anticipated
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Key disciplines/areas of work in this package are: Genetics/genomics of host and
pathogen, immunology, pathology, impact of farm management, use of surveillance
data for epidemiological studies. Linkages to common elements in WPs 2.2, 2.3, 2.5
should be included.
Appropriate links to WPs 2.5 and 3.1 could be included to optimise delivery of
outputs should be made to optimise delivery of outputs.
Collaboration with BBSRC Institutes to bring added value, for example to studies on
immunity and pathogenesis, and on genetics of disease resistance.
The activities in this work package should play a part in connecting and integrating
surveillance data, epidemiology and modelling studies with laboratory studies.
Exchange of information and personnel between organisations, for example research
and surveillance, or research and industry could contribute to the WP.
Outputs from this work package will complement the other work packages carried out
to deliver Programme Objectives 5, 6 and 7 and contribute to Environmental, social
and economic sustainability of Rural Scotland (CCT3).
Application of genomic technologies could be enhanced by linkage to the Scottish
Bioinformatics Research Network.
Suggested Movement From Current Position
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
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Demonstration of end-user linkages and participation to ensure relevance of the
research programme.
Demonstration of effective linkage between surveillance and research on viral
diseases.
Further consideration of how the research might contribute to national or voluntary
eradication schemes.
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FORM WPD P1-3 Nov05: WORK PACKAGE DETAILS
Section 1: Contacts and Organisations:
1.1 Title of SEERAD Programme
Profitable and Sustainable Agriculture - Animals
1.2 Title of work package
Control of viral diseases of livestock
1.3 Work package reference number
2.1
1.4 Work package manager details:
Title
Forename
Surname
Organisation Name
Department or Division
Address Line 1
Address Line 2
Address Line 3
Town/City
Country
Email
Telephone
FAX
Dr
David
Haig
Moredun Research Institute
Virology
Pentlands Science Park
Bush Loan
Penicuik
Scotland
david.haig@moredun.ac.uk
+44 (0)131 445 5111
+44 (0)131 445 6111
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1.5 Organisations involved in work package and percentage contribution.
Organisation Name
Moredun Research Institute
Scottish Agricultural Colleges
BIOSS
% Total WP cost
80
15
Costs in WP 2.2
1.6 Total work package cost (£ GBP).
£8,728,123
1.7 Duration of work package
5 years
1.8 Start date (dd/mm/yy)
01/04/06
1.9 End date (dd/mm/yy)
31/03/11
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Section 2: Strategic Relevance.
Please note: Section 2 is designed to allow assessment of the strategic policy and end-user
relevance of the proposed work package by non-scientists. The information provided in this
section should be written in a style that someone with a standard level education in science
would find informative and accessible.
2.1 Overview. Summarise in approximately 500 words the proposed work and indicate how
it will address the required outputs, including the relevance of the proposed work to
SEERAD policy, end user(s), relevant sector(s) and to Scotland.
The work package will consist of four core research projects, called hereafter Projects 14 (#1-3 for MRI, #4 for SAC). The overall goal is to maintain and extend expertise in the
biology of endemic viral diseases of livestock (and wildlife) in Scotland to fit fully with
the objectives of work programmes 2 and 4. This will be achieved by concentrating
research efforts on improved diagnosis and control of targeted poxvirus, herpesvirus and
retrovirus diseases of livestock where MRI can build on its internationally-recognised
quality of science in these areas; maintain surveillance (MRI / SAC) to monitor endemic
virus disease in Scotland; to form strategic collaborations with other groups and deliver
a quality outcome in line with SEERAD and AHP strategy.
We will underpin knowledge enabling vaccine development and breeding for disease
resistance. The pathogenesis studies will involve an understanding of innate and
adaptive immune responses to the targeted viruses and the deployment of functional
genomic and proteomic technologies to study host-virus interactions. The programme
has an epidemiology component, is well integrated with virus surveillance and involves
a component on the economics of disease control (MRI / SAC). This package is of
relevance to SEERAD policy and targets a broad range of end users /stakeholders, from
the scientific community to farmers, veterinarians and policy makers. BIOSS input will
be from other work packages. The Projects are as follows:
1. PATHOGENESIS AND CONTROL OF POXVIRUS INFECTION.
The most important of the poxvirus diseases of livestock endemic to Scotland is orf in
sheep. Orf is an acute debilitating skin disease of lambs and is a zoonosis, causing
pustular lesions in human skin. We wish to determine the pathogenesis of orf virus
infection in sheep; develop improved diagnostic tests for parapoxvirus disease and
devise new control strategies. We will also study a pox virus that is killing red squirrels
in the UK.
2. PATHOGENESIS AND CONTROL OF HERPESVIRUS INFECTION.
The herpesvirus diseases endemic in Scotland and of concern to stakeholders include
infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) of cattle caused by the alphaherpesvirus BoHV-1
and malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) of cattle and deer caused by the gammaherpesvirus
OvHV-2. The main aims of this project are: to determine the molecular and cellular
mechanism of the pathogenesis of herpesvirus disease; develop new or improved control
strategies; and develop specific diagnostic tests.
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3: PATHOGENESIS AND CONTROL OF RETROVIRUS INFECTION.
An important retroviral disease in Scotland is ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA),
involving lung tumours in adult sheep. The main aims are: to understand the
pathogenesis and epidemiology of OPA; develop immunisation procedures to protect
sheep from OPA; and develop diagnostic tests.
4: EPIDEMIOLOGY AND COST BENEFIT OF VIRUS DISEASE CONTROL
This SAC project will focus on consolidating and validating livestock disease decision
support methods. Specifically we will produce enhanced and validated tools to aid
decision-making relating to the control of the most important endemic viral diseases in
Scotland. These will be IBR and OPA as well as Maedi-Visna and bovine viral diarrhoea
(BVD). The end users targeted will be livestock farmers, animal health professionals,
policy makers and auxiliary industries. In each case, the important viral diseases are the
subject of related research elsewhere in this work package. All elements of the
diagnosis, epidemiology, control with farm and regional level economic appraisal will
be pooled together within this project.
2.2 Outcomes. Describe the specific outcomes intended to arise from the proposed work and
explain how these will meet the “Required Outputs” given in the work package specification.
Outcomes could include products and technologies, advice, recommendations, guidelines,
protocols, IP and products, software and technology as well as scientific knowledge.
1. New information leading to the understanding of the pathogenesis of poxvirus
infections, herpesvirus infections and retrovirus infections. In particular orf virus in
sheep, squirrelpox, OPA in sheep, MCF in cattle and deer and IBR in cattle, as well as
some autoimmune diseases of animals and man (by way of the autoimmune
pathogenesis of MCF). This will involve the use of functional genomic and proteomic
techniques amongst others and will also involve an understanding of host innate and
adaptive immune responses. Improved advice to stakeholders on disease prevalence,
transmission and control will be facilitated through Project 4, particularly for OPA,
Mucosal disease of cattle, IBR of cattle and Maedi Visna disease of sheep. This meets
several of the required outcomes for the workpackage (pathogenesis, functional
genomics, pathogen biology, host response, epidemiology).
2. Development of a differential diagnosis of ovine herpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2 that causes
malignant catarrhal fever (MCF), bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV that causes
mucosal disease) and Foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) in cattle.
3. Development of improved diagnostics for Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV that
causes ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA).
4. Development of a differential diagnosis of Orf virus, Bovine papular stomatitis virus
(BPS), Pseudocowpox virus and Foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV).
2-4 meet the required outcome for improved diagnosis of virus disease.
5. New information leading to the eventual control, or improved control of orf,
squirrelpox, OPA, MCF and IBR. New products will be: improved or new vaccines for
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these diseases; immunological and virological tools and technologies developed as part
of the work package. The work may also inform animal (sheep and cattle) breeders of
suitable breeds and breeding strategies to produce animals with enhanced disease
resistance. This meets the required outcome ‘underpinning knowledge that will enable
breeding for disease resistance and (in particular) vaccine development’.
6. New information on the extent of virus disease in livestock in Scotland (MRI / SAC,
surveillance and epidemiology groups in collaboration with DEFRA and others). This
meets the required output on surveillance and molecular epidemiology.
7. Innovative methods to collate and combine existing and new decision support data for
viral disease control; cost benefit studies; enhanced methods of presentation; improved
simulation models; fresh animal disease databases, improved analytical frameworks. All
these to be appropriate for decision support to farmers and other stakeholders in
connection with viral disease prevention and control activities and other actions at farm
level where animal health and welfare may be affected. This meets the required output
on the economics of disease control.
8. Advice and recommendations to SEERAD, ministers and stakeholders about virus
disease in livestock and wildlife in Scotland.
2.3 Benefits. Describe and if possible quantify the benefits which may arise from this
research through the application of the intended outcomes described in section 2.2. How will
the results/outcomes be used and who will benefit? The likely policy, socio-economic and
environmental impacts arising from this work should be identified.
Major benefits of the work will be:
1. Effective diagnosis and control of important virus diseases of livestock (and wildlife)
in Scotland. Where the diseases are prevalent /important elsewhere in the world, there
will be benefits for all stakeholders in the sheep and cattle industry in Scotland, the UK
and beyond.
The scientific community will benefit from novel and important information on the
pathogenesis, diagnosis, epidemiology, economics and control of the virus diseases
targeted in the package. Results generated will be used to inform this community as well
as SEERAD, ministers, veterinarians and farmers and other interested parties /
stakeholders (e.g. pharmaceutical industry).
2. Farmers, veterinary surgeons, associated auxiliary industries and policy makers all
stand to benefit from this research to improve methods. At first innovative farmers who
quickly adopt the decision support will gain a comparative advantage over their peers.
However, as animal health improves, food supply increases and food prices
consequently fall, the main beneficiary will be the consumer and society as a whole
through the considerable positive externalities that flow from healthy farm livestock.
3. Now that Scottish farmers are competing in a more liberal global food market the
main concern must be the threats from not adopting disease prevention strategies. Many
countries are ahead in controlling or eliminating serious diseases that are endemic in
Scotland. They will gain competitive advantage from this and may even attempt to use
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their superior health status as a means to restrict trade or reduce consumer demand for
food/livestock etc. from countries of lower health status. Given the importance of nonfarming rural business in Scotland and its dependence on healthy farm livestock and the
image this creates, it is this sector that has most to gain from this research proposal.
4. Improved diagnosis and control of the targeted virus diseases of livestock and wildlife
will inform policy in the area of sustainable agriculture (animals) through disease control
/ management.
2.4 Knowledge and technology transfer. Describe plans for knowledge and technology
transfer. Provide details of mechanisms, routes and timings of and audiences for knowledge
and technology transfer activities. Include brief details of dialogue with end user(s) who
have helped plan/focus the work.
Introduction
The overall objective of the Work Package is to develop and implement sustainable control
measures for endemic viral diseases of livestock. Knowledge and technology transfer are
essential components of the research that is intended to change perceptions, attitudes and
behaviour. As outlined in the “Programme for Knowledge Management and Transfer to
deliver SEERAD’s Strategy for Biological Research”, our aims are to:
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To improve knowledge and technology transfer from, and public awareness of the
research.
To provide to SEERAD knowledge that will enable the ongoing development of
policy.
To improve knowledge and technology transfer both within and between the
MRPs.
To create additional opportunities for partnership working between the MRPs to
secure innovative developments in knowledge transfer.
To improve the engagement with our stakeholders and the public ensuring
research, KT and outreach programme are effectively targeted for the future.
This programme identifies three major areas of work: Collaborations/Partnerships; Interinstitutional Knowledge Management; and Knowledge Transfer that are integrated with each
Research Objective.
Collaborations/Partnerships:
WP contributors in all participating institutes are already well-placed with collaborations and
partnerships both within the SABRI-SAC-BioSS network and externally with universities
(e.g. Universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool) and industry (including Pfizer, Intervet
and Novartis). These and additional inter-institutional collaborations and partnerships will be
further developed to create a network providing critical mass of science as well as creating
synergies and novel approached to research. This, together with staff exchanges between
institutes, will deliver considerable added value by linkage to other research funding.
Collaborative working will also lead to increased efficiencies in research and KT outputs and
will therefore raise the profile of MRPs and SEERAD research programme. These linkages
also provide the potential to hold regular workshops and project meetings and potentially
international research meetings in key interdisciplinary areas.
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Examples of potential partnership approaches
 joint research programmes and projects
 research networks
 LINK programmes and Faraday partnerships
 post graduate projects and placements
 consultancy projects
The SABRI-SAC-BioSS network and other MRPs
have great potential for new
collaborations, including partnerships, looking at plant viruses and animal vaccines
(SCRI/MRI), Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (RVC/ SAC/ MRI) and several contract research
projects with the animal health industry through MSL and SAC Commercial.
Inter-institutional Knowledge Management:
Knowledge management is a prerequisite to knowledge transfer. As a result of existing
collaborations and KT activities, a strong network of communication channels exists between
the MRPs in this WP. Through the course of the Programme, these will be further developed
to facilitate data and information relevant to this Work Package is received, shared and
effectively managed between institutes and with customers and various stakeholder groups. A
network of co-ordinated cross institutional consultative committees will be established where
required.
Examples of how MRPs will communicate effectively in this work package
 key staff will take part in regular meetings
 staff will be identified as having management responsibility
 staff involved in knowledge management will receive training in project
management, negotiation and facilitation
 establishment of pan institutional web sites
 sharing of database management systems
 video conferencing
Knowledge Transfer:
Institutes contributing to this WP have well-established mechanisms for knowledge transfer
towards policy makers, end-users (e.g. farmers and veterinarians), the scientific community,
the general public and the commercial industry. This WP will continue to engage in KT
activities that will pass information about the latest research advances to the people who will
benefit from it. For instance, by producing regular technical newssheets, attending
agricultural events and conferences, providing articles to numerous farming journals,
involvement in questionnaire surveys, veterinary and public press and by holding farmer and
veterinary events throughout the UK. Web sites are an increasingly valuable source of
information the use of which will be developed further. Steps will also be taken to engage
with policy makers to contribute to decision-making and guide future developments. In our
approach to knowledge transfer we propose to develop a range of activities. Examples of
matched KT activities for each audience are given in table A.
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Table A – Examples of \matched KT activities with specific audiences
audience
aim
Example of KT activities
Policy
makers
increase
the
flow
of
communication between policy
makers and implementers and
scientists
hold an annual research policy conference
produce policy based fact sheets for scientists
produce science highlights for policy makers/implementers
hold regular briefing meetings between policy makers and scientists
establish 'hot links' between policy makers website and MRPs website on key
information
hold science days at MRI specifically for policy makers and implementers
supply general science stories to non scientific/farming/veterinary press
public
Increase public understanding of
science and the profile of science
within schools
develop exhibitions targeted for the general public at high profile
science/agricultural events (eg. science festival, techfest, royal highland show)
host school visits at MRI
Arrange a programme of talks to school children in schools by MRP scientists
work with schools and educational authorities to develop curriculum relevant
science resources for schools
develop a programme of secondment/work placements for science teachers to
MRI
offer CPD events for science teachers
establish work experience placements for students to MRI
develop existing web site to increase the content of public focused scientific
information available
supply general science stories to non scientific/farming/veterinary press
Develop a communication and knowledge transfer centre
establish a network of Partner Participative Centres with the other MRPs
Scientific
community
Increase
communication
and
collaboration between all involved
in research
publication of peer reviewed articles in high quality scientific journals
arrange secondments / work exchanges between institutes
MRP scientists will present their work at scientific conferences and events
develop the existing web site to increase the content of scientific information
available
encourage MRP scientists to sit on relevant consultative committees
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commercial
business
to increase commercialisation of
MRPs science
hold staff workshops/training to increase staff awareness to IP issues
establish a programme IP committee to manage the IP generated by the work
programme
establish a marketing campaign to increase awareness of the MRP's science and
commercial opportunities available.
encourage the establishment of spin out companies and commercial subsidiaries
Farmers/land
based
industries
To transfer the knowledge from
the SEERAD programmes of
research
produce regular animal health articles that appear in the farming and veterinary
press
hold an annual press event for farming and veterinary journalists
offer CPD training for vets
produce technical fact sheets and magazines for those working in the land based
industries
attend high profile farming and agricultural events to engage with this end user
group
hold open days for those working in the land based industries
hold regional animal health meetings and training events throughout the UK for
farmers and vets
develop the existing website to include for farmer focused practical animal
health information
attend and present at land based industry conferences
Encourage scientists to sit on consultative committees
Moredun has a strong regional
advisory committee that currently
consists of 36 regional advisors
representing 5 UK regions. These
regional advisors are all farmers
and/or work in the land based
industries and the five regional
chairmen report to the main
Moredun board, which meets
quarterly. We consult these
advisors regularly to ensure that
our KT activities remain effective,
focused and relevant. MRI and
SAC also consult and regularly
works
in
partnership
with
stakeholder groups and industry
bodies (QMS, NFU Scotland, the
Crofters
Foundation,
Food
Standards Agency, National Sheep
Association, Institute of Meat
Wholesalers,
Institute
of
Auctioneers,
various
breed
societies, the
BVA,
Sheep
Veterinary
Society
etc)
to
maximise the effectiveness of our
KT activities.
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Since the main objective of Project 4 (SAC) is decision support, delivery of and developing
delivery mechanisms constitutes a major component of this research. To a degree this mechanism
will operate to enhance the delivery of results from all the four projects within WP 2.1. Members
of the team are actively involved in consultation with the agricultural industry at several levels.
This results in direct knowledge transfer but also information flow in the opposite direction
informs the research team of the industries' needs and adjusts our research direction. We envisage
some collaborative research with farmers, veterinary practitioners and associated support
industries. This provides useful KT and a direct stake in the research for potential beneficiaries. In
return the project will gain invaluable insights into risk attitudes, resources and constraints etc.
that govern the uptake of decision support in Scotland in this context. Farm case studies may also
be carried out to test and demonstrate the decision support systems developed. In addition a
website, technical notes and farmers meetings will be used to publicise the work. Presentations
will be made to the veterinary/scientific community and results published in scientific journals.
One of the major knowledge transfer channels will be the transfer of validated methods developed
within WP 2.1 for application within the cross-cutting project on cost benefits of diseases.
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2.5 Contribution to cross-cutting themes. Describe how the proposed work will contribute
to the three cross-cutting themes set out in the SEERAD SRG Research Strategy: Responding
to Climate Change; Protecting Biodiversity and Environmental; and Social and Economic
Sustainability of Rural Scotland.
Disease control leads to improved profits and thus social and economic sustainability,
and rural development. It leads to fewer animals required for the same output that will be
of higher quality. This is better for processors and meets retailers’ requirements and
public demands (work packages 2.5, 3.1).
The work package contains epidemiological components (MRI and SAC) and links to
active and passive surveillance that will allow us to monitor any changes in endemic
virus diseases in Scotland (Responding to Climate Change). Close co-operation with
DEFRA and the EU (surveillance) and IAH (virus research) groups will facilitate this.
Examples of (currently exotic) virus diseases that may affect Scotland with warmer
weather are “Bluetongue” in sheep and “West Nile virus” in a variety of animal species.
The package allows for interaction with other groups to monitor and control this
eventuality, for example through co-funded programmes.
Protecting Biodiversity: A change in Scottish farming practice to high quality,
specialist products is currently under way. In addition, the distribution and occurrence of
wildlife disease carriers may change. There is a possibility that these changes will affect
the incidence of disease in these and other animals. The work package contains elements
that target this theme: in particular our work on a poxvirus that kills red squirrels and
leaves greys unaffected; an awareness that malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) may
increase; and surveillance on louping ill, a viral disease transmitted to sheep and red
grouse by ticks. Links with other groups (see above) will inform us of any changes in
virus disease that would affect biodiversity and initiate collaborative co-funded control
strategies.
Environmental, Social and Economic sustainability of Rural Scotland:
The foot and mouth crisis of 2001 clearly demonstrated that farm animal disease can
threaten the rural economy. In Scotland this issue is particularly important as many rural
businesses depend upon the 'Scottish Brand', built on the world-renowned Scottish
countryside, maintained by a healthy livestock industry. The 'Scottish Brand' has been
central to the marketing of Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb. Consumer recognition of
these brands, which enjoy 'Protected Geographical Status', has reached record levels
through QMS led promotional activity. This research aims not only to protect this hard
won image but to maintain and enhance it against increasing global competition. Many
other countries have higher status than Scotland for endemic diseases. There is therefore
no room for complacency.
Changes in farming practice as outlined above will impinge on this theme. For example,
sustainable farming systems involving an increase in deer farming could increase the
incidence of MCF as it will be difficult to separate sheep (carriers of the virus) from this
susceptible species. Furthermore as animal and wildlife parks for public access and
enjoyment increase, there may be an opportunity for orf, OPA and MCF to increase
amongst susceptible animals. We will monitor any virus diseases emerging or increasing
in incidence as a result of these changes and form collaborative links to deal with these
2.6 Contribution of work package to Programme. Describe how this work package
contributes and adds value to the overall Programme of which the work package is a part. If
applicable, briefly state how the proposed work adds value to other SEERAD programmes.
An integrated work package on control of virus diseases in livestock is proposed that
will generate international quality science, help Scottish livestock enterprises deliver
high quality animal food products with concomitant benefits for animal and human
health. The package will involve strategic links within MRI, SAC, other SABRIs and
with surveillance groups, research groups at other Institutes / Universities, and
stakeholders across Scotland, the UK and worldwide.
The work package will improve animal health and welfare in an environmentally benign
way. The proposals described here will support sustainability of livestock keeping and in
this way, the package will contribute significantly to Programme 2: ‘Profitable and
sustainable agriculture: animals’. To achieve these ends, the package will focus the
core research commitment to understanding specific poxvirus, herpesvirus and
retrovirus pathogeneses that will inform us on how to develop novel and needed
diagnostic tools and disease control strategies (including vaccination or breeding). In
addition the SAC Epidemiology Research Unit will focus on their core research
commitment to provide cost benefits of viral disease control in particular pestivirus,
sheep retroviruses and bovine herpesviruses.
The MRI virus surveillance unit along with SAC targets important viruses within these
groups as well as others endemic in Scotland, and will integrate fully with the research
priorities. In addition, the virus surveillance unit, through SAC and VLA, performs
surveillance on many viruses of veterinary importance to determine changes in
prevalence in Scotland. Coverage of other important endemic viral diseases of livestock
will also be through formal contact and alliances with expert research and surveillance
groupings both within the UK and worldwide. This will facilitate awareness of the
important endemic virus diseases of livestock that affect Scotland currently or that may
do so in the future, while at the same time focussing research effort into particular virus
diseases where we have internationally-acknowledged expertise and believe significant
impact will result.
This package is designed to meet criteria as embodied in SEERAD’s strategy for
agricultural, biological and related research 2005-10, in particular programme 2.
The work will concentrate on endemic virus diseases where the MRI with SAC has
strength through internationally-acknowledged quality of science, to ensure
complementarity and added value for SEERAD. This will generate new knowledge
leading to improved vaccines, diagnostics and farm management and disease control
methods. We will take account of changes in farming practice including reduced
incomes, diversification of farming enterprises, and the effect of the mid-term review of
CAP including single farm payments and land management contracts in Scotland. It is
anticipated that these changes may affect livestock husbandry practices and farm
business economics in such a way that there will be impact on biodiversity and the
incidence and prevalence of viral diseases. It is essential that Scotland retains a state-ofthe-art facility in virology to address current and future disease challenges. Outputs will
include an understanding of specific virus pathogeneses, diagnostics, epidemiology and
animal health economics leading to improved diagnosis and control of disease (see
below).
The package will also contribute to programme objectives 2.4 (animal welfare); 2.5
(livestock genetics); and objective 4 (impacts on human health). These connections
will be expanded below.
The package is constructed to support the aim of the AHP for Great Britain, with a
Scottish perspective that will inform SEERAD, Scottish Executive ministers and the
principal scientific, veterinary and farming stakeholders of the extent of endemic virus
disease in livestock in Scotland, any future trends that emerge, and the acquisition of
improved diagnostic and control strategies for targeted virus diseases. This will be
supported by an economic rationale for the uptake of specific control strategies set at
farm and regional level. Stakeholders will be intimately involved in the process. These
include not just SEERAD, other funders, farmers and veterinarians, but the wider
scientific community and other customers that are essential to the continued success of
the workpackage partners. In particular, we wish to perform high quality science on the
mechanism of (targeted) virus pathogeneses leading to improved disease diagnosis and
control, fulfilling policy criteria as outlined in SEERAD's ‘strategy for agricultural,
biological and related research 2005-10’
For all of our targeted virus diseases in Scottish livestock, there are no accurate figures
for prevalence. However, Orf and OPA are two important viral diseases of sheep that are
currently a problem across Scotland. Work on these viruses will lead to improved
understanding of the incidence and prevalence of the diseases through links with
surveillance centres and epidemiologists. Studies on disease pathogenesis will lead to
improved diagnosis and control that is required by commercial farmers (and identified in
Moredun’s recent questionnaire-based study). Orf is also a zoonosis and OPA pathology
in the lung has similarities to a disease of the human lung thus giving these projects
comparative medical interest.
BVD is probably the most important endemic cattle disease in Scotland. Even the visible
losses are significant enough to generate great current interest within the farming
industry. However, to date, uptake of control strategies has been poor because of lack of
understanding and this work package will include research to provide decision-making
tools relating to the control of this pestivirus.
MCF is currently increasing in prevalence in the UK according to MRI surveillance
figures, and accounts for a significant number of confirmed diagnosable cases going
through the VLA (see support letter). In addition it is a disease with very high mortality
and which causes severe clinical signs associated with the inflammatory process in
affected animals for some days prior to death or humane destruction. As such it is an
emotive disease and provokes strong concern from those affected by it. As a result of
recent stakeholder meetings and feedback (see letters of support), veterinarians and
farmers have indicated that MCF is a real concern and is under-diagnosed for various
reasons. In this context there is a need to discriminate rapidly between MCF and
mucosal disease (caused by BVDV), which we address in our work package. It is our
belief that MCF could increase as farming methods change, particularly with a move to
farm more deer and to mix virus-reservoir sheep with various susceptible species
including cattle and other exotic species. It is not always practical to keep sheep and
susceptible animals far enough apart to avoid the disease and there are no clear
guidelines on which management approaches are most likely to protect against
transmission of infection. At MRI, we are the only major surveillance and research
centre monitoring and working on the control of this important disease in the UK, and
are relied on for this service in the rest of the world. Consequently, we are a recognised
world centre for advice on MCF.
MCF is also important as its pathology will inform us about similar pathologies in other
herpesvirus infections (of animals and man), and autoimmune disease, giving a
comparative medical dimension to our work that has added value. Moreover, the study
on immunisation methods to prevent disease and possibly latency in MCF will impact on
other herpesvirus control measures. The recent proof of concept for a mucosal barrier
immunisation strategy that prevents disease and persistent infection is an exciting result
in this regard. We are particularly interested in revisiting control of IBR by BoHV-1 as
this is a virus disease of concern to beef cattle farmers in Scotland.
We have had stakeholder meetings (scientists, farmers, veterinarians, pharmaceutical
industry, MRI advisory committees) to discuss the relevance of this work package to
them and this has informed us of its current content. Importantly, the work package will
form an MRI collaborative link with the new EBRC in Edinburgh.
This workpackage sits well within SEERAD policy for many reasons. A quality science
outcome is of relevance (and benefit) to the scientific community, SEERAD and the
international standing of the MRI /SAC. Work on the targeted viral diseases of livestock
will have added value by providing a critical mass of expertise in herpesvirus, poxvirus
and retrovirus biology that can be the basis of collaborations on virus diseases that might
become endemic in Scotland, or increase in prevalence.
The work package is of relevance to stakeholders (end users) such as veterinarians,
farmers, the pharmaceutical industry, the scientific community and those who make a
living in rural Scotland, in addition to the contribution to providing locally produced
high quality animal products that benefit the entire population and contribute to the
economic growth of Scotland and the health of its residents.