The Scottish Government is continuing to provide financial support to the sheep industry to develop an OPA disease control programme with a pilot scheme now in its second year.
The pilot has been developed by the industry-led Scottish OPA working group and it aims to increase the number of veterinary practitioners with proven expertise in recognising signs of OPA in live sheep through ultrasound scanning in the absence of any better diagnostic test. Submission of samples during this study will be used to validate the skill of the participating vets and to underpin further research on OPA pathogenesis and disease control.
The pilot is now looking to recruit more sheep keepers to become involved in the pilot. If you are willing to participate in this pilot and have your flock scanned for OPA please contact Chris Cousens for more information by email chris.cousens@moredun.ac.uk.