Facilitation of farmer-driven scab control activities are urgently needed if sheep scab is ever to be eradicated from Northern Ireland, a new research paper has found.
A greater understanding of the scale of the disease, and the impact that treatment failure associated with injectable products (macrocyclic lactones) can have on its dissemination across the Northern Ireland flock, was also identified in ‘A study of sheep scab in Northern Ireland including detection and identifying barriers to control,’ published in Vet Record Open. [https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/vro2.70003]
Caused by the highly infectious Psoroptes ovis mite, sheep scab is endemic across the country. Yet despite its devastating effect on animal welfare and hefty monetary impact for farmers, historically, little research has been undertaken.
To remedy this, a team from the NI Sheep Scab Group, Moredun, AFBI and AHWNI launched a pilot project in a bid to get to the bottom of the issue and inform future control programmes.
Funded by BBSRC the Northern Ireland Sheep Scab project saw farmers self-report suspected outbreaks to the scheme helpline managed by AHWNI, and their veterinary surgeon was paid to investigate the disease using skin scrapes and blood tests. Where scab was identified, the scheme provided treatment and follow-up support. Scab was identified in 60 flocks across all six counties of Northern Ireland, giving impetus for further action to control this devastating disease.
“Our project showed that not only do farmers recognise the need for a coordinated approach, but are willing to engage with, efforts to control scab,” says research lead, Paul Crawford.
“Further facilitation of farmer-driven scab control activities are urgently required to get a handle on this situation,” he continues. “This research and our findings are just the tip of the iceberg in understanding the scale of the disease and the impact the frequent failure of at injectable to cure scab identified among our farms, will be having on increasing scab dissemination through the national flock.”
The researchers hope to secure additional funding to further their work which could take them a step closer to permanently eradicating scab from Northern Irish flocks.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
- Only 4 of the 16 flocks treated with injectable products were proven to be cured of scab
- Dipping in a plunge bath is the only sure remind for a scab outbreak
- Use of sheep dip in showers is illegal
- For more information, contact research lead Paul Crawford via email: paul@paulmrcvs.com
- Paul can also be contacted by calling: 07870 947791
- The research paper, ‘A study of sheep scab in Northern Ireland including detection and identifying barriers to control’ was first published on December 23rd, 2024, in Vet Record Open.