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<title>First Report on World’s Animal Health Reveals Changing Spread of Disease Impacting Food Security, Trade and Ecosystems </title>
<link>https://international-animalhealth.com/first-report-on-worlds-animal-health-reveals-changing-spread-of-disease-impacting-food-security-trade-and-ecosystems/</link>
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<pubDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2025 10:03:12 +0000</pubDate>
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<description><![CDATA[Inaugural State of the World’s Animal Health report finds several animal diseases reaching new areas, with half of those reported able to jump to people. Key findings:  Infectious animal diseases are affecting new areas and species, undermining global food security, human health and biodiversity, according to the first State of the World’s Animal Health report. The […]]]></description>
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Inaugural State of the World’s Animal Health report finds several animal diseases reaching new areas, with half of those reported able to jump to people.
Key findings: 
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Animal diseases are migrating into previously unaffected areas, half (47%) of which have zoonotic – or animal-to-human – potential. </li>
<li>Outbreaks of bird flu in mammals more than doubled last year compared to 2023, increasing the risk of further spread and human transmission. </li>
<li>Access to livestock vaccines remains uneven around the world, with disease eradication efforts facing funding and political challenges. </li>
<li>Antibiotic use in animals fell by 5% between 2020 and 2022 and expanding livestock vaccination globally would reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance. </li>
</ul>
Infectious animal diseases are affecting new areas and species, undermining global food security, human health and biodiversity, according to the first State of the World’s Animal Health report. The new annual assessment provides the first comprehensive review of animal disease trends, risks and challenges, from the uptake and availability of vaccines to the use of antibiotics in animals. Released ahead of WOAH’s 92nd General Session and its Animal Health Forum – where leading experts will gather to discuss vaccination and innovation in disease prevention – the report sets the stage for high-level discussions on how science-based vaccination strategies and emerging technologies can help address current and future animal health threats through a One Health approach. Among its findings, the report revealed the reported number of avian influenza outbreaks in mammals more than doubled last year compared to 2023 with 1,022 outbreaks across 55 countries compared to 459 outbreaks in 2023. The authors highlighted that, while the risk of human infection remains low, the more mammalian species such as cattle, cats or dogs infected, the greater the possibility of the virus adapting to mammal-to-mammal, and potentially human, transmission. “The spread, prevalence and impact of infectious animal diseases is changing, bringing new challenges for agriculture and food security, human health and development, and natural ecosystems,” said Dr. Emmanuelle Soubeyran, Director General of WOAH.
<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
By launching a new, annual assessment of the state of the world’s animal health, WOAH shines a light on our interconnected health issues and the solutions that can improve animal health and, by extension, global health. Dr. Emmanuelle Soubeyran, Director General of WOAH. 
</blockquote>
Bird flu, or high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI), which has caused the culling or loss of more than 630 million birds in the last two decades was one of several animal diseases to affect new areas last year. Peste des petits ruminants (PPR), which has traditionally affected sheep and goats in developing countries, has re-emerged in Europe while Africa swine fever (ASF) reached Sri Lanka, travelling more than 1,800 km from the nearest outbreaks, the report found. Almost half of the WOAH-listed diseases notified to WOAH between 2005 and 2023 were considered a threat to human health with zoonotic, or animal-to-human infection, potential. The report cited climate change and increased trade among the factors influencing the spread and prevalence of animal diseases. Many are preventable through a combination of vaccination, improved hygiene and biosecurity measures, but the report noted that access to animal vaccines remains uneven around the world. “Alongside other measures, vaccination remains one of the most powerful disease prevention tools available, saving countless lives, preventing economic losses and reducing the need for antimicrobial treatments,” Dr. Soubeyran added. “To limit the spread of highly damaging diseases like avian influenza, foot and mouth disease and PPR, the global community must strengthen international cooperation and ensure equitable access to safe, effective vaccines, alongside other control measures.” Since 2006, WOAH has supported access to animal vaccines through its vaccine banks and currently operates two, one for rabies and one for PPR. As of May 2025, the WOAH Rabies Vaccine Bank has delivered almost 30 million dog vaccines to countries in Africa and Asia. However, progress towards ending rabies has stalled in recent years, with the percentage of countries reporting implementing control measures falling from 85 per cent to 62 per cent. The report also emphasized the importance of disease prevention for reducing the need for antibiotic treatment and limiting the development of drug-resistant diseases. By 2050, antimicrobial resistance is projected to cause livestock losses that jeopardize the food security of two billion people and result in a US$ 100 trillion economic loss if urgent action is not taken. The latest figures indicate that antimicrobial use, including antibiotics, in animals fell five per cent between 2020 and 2022, with use in Europe seeing the biggest decline of 23 per cent, followed by Africa at 20 per cent. However, one in five countries continue to use antimicrobials as growth promoters, which is discouraged by WOAH. “The indiscriminate use of antimicrobials contributes to antimicrobial resistance, which is a major threat to both animal and human health,” said Dr. Javier Yugueros-Marcos, Head of the Antimicrobial Resistance and Veterinary Products Department at WOAH. “The declining use of antibiotics in almost all regions is encouraging but further reductions can be achieved by prioritizing preventative measures against animal diseases, with vaccination as an essential component of these.”  WOAH calls for investments to strengthen national Veterinary Services, greater global and regional coordination and improved disease surveillance systems to scale up effective disease control. This includes developing and implementing advanced diagnostic tools to differentiate between vaccinated and infected animals, enabling accurate disease tracking and trade transparency.
Key success stories on vaccination presented in the report 
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>In October 2023, France became the first EU country to implement a nationwide vaccination campaign against bird flu in ducks, which play a key role in the spread of the disease. The campaign helped reduce the number of outbreaks from a forecasted 700 to just 10, according to the report. </li>
<li>Türkiye developed a new vaccine for an outbreak of FMD within just 37 days, vaccinating 14.2 million cattle – 90% of the national herd – and 2.5 million sheep within six months.  </li>
<li>The Philippines has now vaccinated millions of dogs against rabies with help of WOAH vaccine bank. In the past, the country received 500,000 doses of rabies vaccine through EU funding, leading to a noticeable decline in rabies cases.  </li>
</ul>

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<title>Industry welcomes news that UK risk status for BSE has been downgraded</title>
<link>https://international-animalhealth.com/industry-welcomes-news-that-uk-risk-status-for-bse-has-been-downgraded/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[theArchitect]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2025 09:33:28 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[news]]></category>
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<description><![CDATA[The British meat industry has welcomed the announcement that the UK’s risk rating status for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) has been downgraded to negligible.  The UK government explained that the abattoir and meat processing industry will be able to take advantage of changes to control measures, which will reduce operational burdens and release financial savings for […]]]></description>
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The British meat industry has welcomed the announcement that the UK’s risk rating status for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) has been downgraded to negligible. 
The UK government explained that the abattoir and meat processing industry will be able to take advantage of changes to control measures, which will reduce operational burdens and release financial savings for the abattoir and meat processing industry. 
“The UK’s improved risk status is a reflection of the UK’s global reputation for having some of the highest standards in the world for biosecurity,” a spokesperson for Defra said. 
BSE, occasionally known as mad cow disease, was a considerable public health concern in the 1980s, leading to long-standing bans on British beef exports. The downgrading risk status marks a major step forward, reflecting decades of rigorous controls and opening the door to expanded trade and renewed confidence in UK beef. 
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">‘Milestone of significant value to the industry’</h3>
Tony Goodger of the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) has welcomed the announcement. 
He said: “High value markets such as South Korea, where we know there is demand for grass-fed beef, have been closed to UK imports for many years due to our previous WOAH risk status. 
“Our members always look forward to meeting with buyers from across the globe who wish to purchase prime British beef and lamb”. 
Nan Jones of the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) added: “This milestone is of significant value to the industry. To illustrate, the ability to recover mesenteric fat alone could generate value of approximately £10 million per year.  
“Given the substantial benefits this change brings to our members, we hope that the improving UK–EU relationship offers an opportunity to seek earlier EU recognition of our status.” 
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">‘Much-needed boost’</h3>
NFU livestock board chair David Barton said: “After the devastating impact of BSE, when thousands of animals had to be culled, it’s excellent to see British farmers’ commitment to robust controls and surveillance now recognised by WOAH.
“Achieving negligible risk status brings significant benefits — not only cost savings in processing and the ability to utilise more of each carcase, but also greater confidence in the quality and safety of our beef in international markets. It is a major step forward for the UK livestock sector, enhancing its global reputation and potentially unlocking new market opportunities for British beef.”
Mr Barton added that the announcement delivers a much-needed boost for producers and the wider supply chain.
“British beef is in demand both at home and abroad, and now is the time to grow the sector. Our 2035 vision for beef outlines the trade policies, supply chain fairness and sustainability policies needed to support that growth going forwards,” he concluded.
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<title>UK Unprepared for Major Animal Disease Outbreak</title>
<link>https://international-animalhealth.com/uk-unprepared-for-major-animal-disease-outbreak/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[theArchitect]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2025 08:47:41 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[news]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://international-animalhealth.com/?p=24857</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The UK government is not sufficiently prepared for a severe outbreak of animal disease, posing a growing risk to the poultry industry and wider livestock sector, a new National Audit Office (NAO) report has warned. The report highlights increasing disease pressure, driven by climate change and antimicrobial resistance, alongside a lack of long-term strategy from […]]]></description>
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The UK government is not sufficiently prepared for a severe outbreak of animal disease, posing a growing risk to the poultry industry and wider livestock sector, a new National Audit Office (NAO) report has warned.
The report highlights increasing disease pressure, driven by climate change and antimicrobial resistance, alongside a lack of long-term strategy from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA).
While both bodies have managed recent outbreaks, including avian influenza, which led to the culling of 7.2 million birds between 2020 and 2025, the NAO found they would struggle to cope with a more severe or sustained crisis.
Key concerns include outdated infrastructure at the Weybridge science facility, a 20% vet vacancy rate at APHA, and the lack of a comprehensive livestock movement tracking system.
The British Poultry Council said: “Today’s report from the National Audit Office puts it plainly: the risk of an animal disease outbreak that Government cannot manage is above acceptable levels and there isn’t yet a plan to reduce it. With the right investment, the UK can build a capable and responsive future for animal health, but that means acting now, not after a major crisis.”
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<title>NIIAS Focuses on Animal Health Standards</title>
<link>https://international-animalhealth.com/niias-focuses-on-animal-health-standards/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[theArchitect]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2025 08:00:40 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[news]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://international-animalhealth.com/?p=24855</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The issue of animal health sits at the epicenter of all the opportunities and challenges interacting with every livestock farm, writes Richard Halleron. This was the clear, take-home message from the recent annual conference, hosted by the Northern Ireland Institute of Agricultural Science (NIIAS). Approximately 80 delegates attended the event, held at CAFRE’s Greenmount College campus So […]]]></description>
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The issue of animal health sits at the epicenter of all the opportunities and challenges interacting with every livestock farm, writes Richard Halleron.
This was the clear, take-home message from the recent annual conference, hosted by the Northern Ireland Institute of Agricultural Science (NIIAS).
Approximately 80 delegates attended the event, held at CAFRE’s Greenmount College campus
So here’s the reality: animal health drives every aspect of livestock production and enterprise efficiency.
This in turn has a direct impact on the carbon footprint of production agriculture.
And, of course, healthier animals are less predisposed to disease, thereby reducing the need for medicine usage within the farming sector.
In other words, poor animal health standards will act to ensure that an animal’s true genetic potential is never realised.
And there is so much that livestock farmers can do to improve the animal health status of their businesses.
Keeping stock in an environment that is not fit for purpose is the all-important staring point in this regard.
One of the key factors here is the maintenance of proper hygiene standards.
Addressing this issue alone can have a dramatic and positive impact on numerous aspects of herd performance.
For example, clean calving areas will reduce the impact of calf scours while also helping to control the spread of Johne’s Disease.
Implementing timely vaccination programmes is another way of securing the highest possible animal health standards within a farming business.
Meanwhile, it is now inevitable that Bluetonguie will reach Ireland in the not too distant future.
The progress of the midges carrying the disease across Europe has been relentless over recent years.
And the Irish Sea will be but a small encumbrance to them as they keep on their westerly course.
If and when the disease does arrive, the authorities will act accordingly.
But rumours to the effect that sheep continue to be smuggled from Britain on to the island of Ireland are nothing short of scandalous.
Anyone involved in such activity should be subject to the full rigours of the law.
This year has seen three instances of Foot and Mouth Disease confirmed in Europe: Germany, Hungary and Slovakia.
Two separate lineages of the virus were identified in the context of these outbreaks.
The resurgence of this disease highlights, one again, the need to control the importation of illegal food imports on to the island of Ireland.
And this means having the proper surveillance procedures operating at all our ports and airports.
But here’s the truly scary scenario: there is a train of thought in certain quarters that the recent foot and mouth outbreaks were a form of bio-terrorism.
Animal health status impacts on all aspects of livestock production
Taking a ‘silo approach’ to animal health misses out fundamentally on the impact this key principle of animal husbandry has across farming as a whole
This was the clear message which veterinarian, Dr Sam Strain, delivered to the NIIAS conference.
He specifically referenced the link between animal health and the issues of production efficiency, carbon footprint and medicine usage.
Moreover, these are all matters that determine the overall sustainability of farming and food at the present time.
Sam Strain is the chief executive of Animal Health and Welfare Northern Ireland (AHWNI).
Courtesy of his presentation to the NIIAS conference, he confirmed that animal health status has an overarching impact on livestock performance.
In other words an animal’s genetic potential will never be fully reached if its animal health status is compromised, irrespective of the nutritional regimes that are followed.
Clear links have also been confirmed between animal health status, production output and the associated impact on the environment.
Sam Strain further explained: “Between 2007 and 2017 milk output in the United States rose by 24.9%.
“However, greenhouse gas emission levels only increased by 1% during the same period.
“Analysis of these results has clearly shown that animal health status is a clear driver of whole herd efficiency and sustainability levels.”
The AHWNI representative highlighted the need for calves to be tagged as early as possible.
This is a key requirement, linked to the ongoing Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) eradication programme in Northern Ireland.
Sam Strain also confirmed that further legislation will be required to allow for the full completion of the BVD measure.
Animal health standards are directly linked to the usage of antibiotics within production agriculture.
Sam Strain also confirmed that a specific disease breakdown predisposes animals to other health-related issues.
And this in turn can lead to increased antimicrobial usage.
He added: “There is a tremendous level of interaction between diseases.
“For example, BVD predisposes animal to pneumonia.
“Infectious disease move within animals.
“But simple steps taken by farmers to tackle one specific issue can have repercussions across other aspects of animal health.
“For example, improving he hygiene standards in calving areas to reduce the prevalence of Johne’s disease will also ct to reduce scour levels in newborn calves.”
Sam Strain concluded: “There is also a clear line between improved animal health standards and the carbon footprint generated by a livestock farming business.
“For example, reducing lameness problems within dairy hers will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emission levels.
“And reducing parasite burdens, such as those created by fluke and worms, will also deliver overall reductions in carbon footprint values.
Bluetongue is coming
Bluetonngue disease will, inevitably, reach the island of Ireland. And this may well happen sooner rather than later.
This is the strongly held view Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) deputy chief veterinary officer, Dr David Kyle.
He spoke at the NIIAS conference.
Kyle further explained: “The disease carrying midges will arrive at some stage: we can’t control the weather.
“DAERA is currently monitoring midge and virus populations, specifically in Iris Sea coastal areas.”
The latest figures from Great Britain (GB) confirm the East:West march of the virus.
However, to date, it has not reached those regions with high sheep populations.
Once Bluetonge reaches Irish shores, 20km radius incursion zones will be established in an attempt to get to grips with the disease.
David Kyle referenced the future use of vaccines as a means of farmers getting to grips with the problem within their own businesses.
According to the DAERA representative, a region’s animal health status will have a direct bearing on its ability to export food products.
And, in addition, disease has a direct bearing on animal performance and productivity.
Illegal animal and food importations heighten the risk of new disease threats.
David Kyle confirmed that DAERA has strengthened its presence at all of Northern Ireland’s ports.
And he references as absolute folly, the attempts that have been made by some people to smuggle live sheep into Northern Ireland.
The World Organisation for Animal Health lists 118 notifiable diseases.
All of these are linked to international food trading conditions.
David Kyle again: “Food exports are worth in excess of £6 billion to Northern Ireland’s economy.
“So, protecting the future of our agri food sectors is a key priority.
“And the same principle holds in the Republic of Ireland.”
The DAERA representative referenced the triple threat of Bluetongue, Foot and & Mouth Disease and Highly Patogenic Avian Influenza as being of key concern to Ireland’s agri food sectors at the present time.
He highlighted the tremendous efforts made by the poultry sector in keeping avian influenza at bay over recent times.
However, David Kyke struck a very cautionary note where Foot and Mouth is concerned.
This year has seen outbreaks of the disease confirmed in Germany, Hungary and Slovakia with two different lineages of the virus identified in these cases.
However, when it comes to attributing the initial causes of the disease outbreaks, bio terrorism has been one of the options followed up.
The scourge of bTB
A perceived lack of professional credibility within Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Veterinary Service has been highlighted.
The issue was debated at the NIIAS annual conference, courtesy of a presentation given by Co Down dairy farmer and qualified veterinary surgeon: David Rea.
It is his strongly held view that the professional resolve to eradicate bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in Northern Ireland on the part of those delivering policy within DAERA Veterinary Service has to be questioned.
He continued: “There is also a total lack of political will at Stormont to tackle the disease. Last year a total of £60M was spent in Northern Ireland, funding the current bTB eradication programme: this is wasted money.
According to Rea, the issue of bTB will only be tackled once wildlife intervention is officially recognised as being an integral part of the solution and appropriate steps taken to make this a reality.
“It’s all about following the science,” he stressed.
“And this is not happening at the present time.”
David Rea used the occasion of the conference to highlight the extreme losses his business had amassed of the back of a continuing bTB breakdown that has been impacting on his herd for the past five years.
“And the problems continue,” he added.
David Rea milks 250 cows close to Crossgar in Co Down
When asked about the option that animal welfare groups will always have to seek judicial reviews on the specific matter of badger culling, he said that strong political leadership is needed to get the issue of bTB under control.
“And this has not been evident up to now,” Rea continued.
“We also need DAERA Veterinary Service playing a strategic role in this context.
DAERA deputy chief veterinary officer, Dr David Kyle, also spoke at the NIIAS conference.
He said that the prospects of getting an agreed strategy, which gets to gripswith the bTB challenge in Northern Ireland, are improving.
The DAERA representative continued: “The enemy is bTB. Moving forward all the stakeholders involved must control the narrative.
“Effective communication is at the heart of all this. It is also a imperative that DAERA follows due process at all times.
“There is a political and professional will to act on the bTB issue in the most strategic way possible.
“And we need to bring all the relevanat stakeholders together on this journey.”

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<title>Animal Health Report Calls for Reform</title>
<link>https://international-animalhealth.com/animal-health-report-calls-for-reform/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[theArchitect]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2025 07:55:23 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[news]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://international-animalhealth.com/?p=24853</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Panel Urges Faster and Cheaper Animal Health Solutions in U.S. The Reagan-Udall Foundation has released a vital report titled “Transforming Animal Health in the U.S. for the 21st Century.” The expert panel behind it, chaired by Professor Lisa Tell, reviewed challenges in the U.S. animal health system and found that current laws are no longer […]]]></description>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Panel Urges Faster and Cheaper Animal Health Solutions in U.S.</h3>
The Reagan-Udall Foundation has released a vital report titled “Transforming Animal Health in the U.S. for the 21st Century.”
The expert panel behind it, chaired by Professor Lisa Tell, reviewed challenges in the U.S. animal health system and found that current laws are no longer effective.
Panel members held interviews and accepted written feedback from experts across sectors. They discovered that outdated rules and slow regulatory processes are blocking access to new animal drugs and nutrition solutions. This affects not just veterinary care but also the U.S. food supply.
“While chairing this Expert Panel, it was readily apparent to me that advancing animal health into the 21st century is going to be a complicated process that will require dynamic engagement,” said Lisa A. Tell. “It is going to require agencies and stakeholders to work collaboratively in order to start making impactful differences.”
The report emphasizes that improving animal health will need the involvement of various government bodies and the private sector. By rethinking how products are reviewed and approved, the U.S. can make treatments more affordable and accessible.
The panel recommends actions that will benefit both food animals and pets, including faster review timelines, lower regulatory costs, and more transparency.
The report’s goal is to help farmers, veterinarians, and pet owners get the tools they need while keeping the food supply safe. With stronger collaboration, the U.S. can become a world leader in veterinary medicine and agriculture once again.
The panel hopes the findings will lead to real policy change and better support for those who care for animals.

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<title>New DNA Discovery Identifies Specific Genetic Link to Painful Skin Condition in French Bulldog and Boxer dog breeds for the First Time </title>
<link>https://international-animalhealth.com/new-dna-discovery-identifies-specific-genetic-link-to-painful-skin-condition-in-french-bulldog-and-boxer-dog-breeds-for-the-first-time/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[theArchitect]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jun 2025 08:33:39 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[news]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://international-animalhealth.com/?p=24845</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Results from this study convincingly link the SLAMF1 gene to canine atopic dermatitis  In a new study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, Wisdom Panel scientists have identified a genetic variant that significantly increases the risk of developing canine atopic dermatitis (cAD). The finding, centered on the SLAMF1 gene, is the first of its kind and could […]]]></description>
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Results from this study convincingly link the SLAMF1 gene to canine atopic dermatitis 
In a new study published in <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1550617/abstract" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Veterinary Science</a>, Wisdom Panel scientists have identified a genetic variant that significantly increases the risk of developing canine atopic dermatitis (cAD). The finding, centered on the SLAMF1 gene, is the first of its kind and could lead to informed breeding decisions. 
The SLAMF1 variant was found in 71% of French Bulldogs and 40% of Boxers — breeds known to present frequently with this condition — significantly increasing their risk of developing cAD. The discovery came from analyzing clinical data from Banfield Pet Hospital paired with DNA data from Wisdom Panel.  
Estimates suggest cAD affects up to 10-30% of dogs, and it is a condition with no known cure. These findings add vital knowledge to help improve understanding of disease processes and could potentially lead to more targeted solutions in the future. In addition, identification of the SLAMF1 variant presents the opportunity for breeders to breed toward dogs with a lower risk of atopic dermatitis. 
Though the study specifically confirmed the link in French Bulldogs and Boxers, scientists believe the implications are much broader.  
“This finding could have a real impact on dog health,” says Jimmy Barr, DVM, DACVECC, Chief Medical Officer for Mars Petcare’s Science & Diagnostics division. “While atopy has long been suspected to have a genetic component, this is the first time the SLAMF1 gene has been convincingly linked to this debilitating skin condition. This knowledge will help identify dogs at risk and could lead to new therapies and more informed dog breeding practices.”
This research highlights Mars’ unique ability to leverage both scientific expertise and a wealth of data across its global Petcare ecosystem. In addition to Wisdom Panel and Banfield, this study is the first to leverage the MARS PETCARE BIOBANK<img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.1.0/72x72/2122.png" alt="™" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> — which functionally validated the study with samples. Additionally, the data was reviewed by expert dermatologists from Linnaeus.
But this isn’t just an academic win, the discovery has practical impact too. Wisdom Panel has developed a DNA test that will be offered in partnership with Canine Genetic Testing at the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge so breeders can benefit from this discovery, enabling them to make informed decisions to reduce the frequency of atopic dermatitis while maintaining genetic diversity. 
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<title>UK Dairy Farmers Encouraged to Discuss Alternative Medicine Use</title>
<link>https://international-animalhealth.com/uk-dairy-farmers-encouraged-to-discuss-alternative-medicine-use/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[theArchitect]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jun 2025 09:21:08 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[news]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://international-animalhealth.com/?p=24838</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Greater openness about complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) use has the potential to strengthen farmer-vet relationships, which may prevent potential unintended harm to animals, reduce antibiotic use and improve herd health management, new research has found. The study, led by the University of Bristol, is published today in Frontiers in Veterinary Science. CAM are used by some dairy […]]]></description>
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Greater openness about complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) use has the potential to strengthen farmer-vet relationships, which may prevent potential unintended harm to animals, reduce antibiotic use and improve herd health management, new research has found. The study, led by the University of Bristol, is published today in Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
CAM are used by some dairy farmers in the UK but there is limited evidence about their use and which products and practices farmers consider to be CAM. The study found that dairy farmers think of a wide range of treatments and practices as CAM and vary in how and why they use CAM.
Most vets consider CAM to be counter to evidence-based practice. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons does not endorse CAM use where there is no scientific evidence of efficacy (RCVS, 2017) and the British Veterinary Association defines CAM as “treatments that fall outside of mainstream veterinary care” (BVA, 2018). This exploratory research aimed to step aside from the debate around CAM efficacy to understand what underpins CAM use in dairy herd health management and how that might influence antibiotic use.
Twenty-four farmers were interviewed from 20 farms, 16 of which were visited to collect observational data such as photographs and fieldnotes. The participating farms represented a range of management systems (15 organic; 9 conventional) and herd sizes, and supplied milk to a range of processors under different certification standards.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What Farmers Think of as CAM</h3>
What farmers thought of as CAM varied and included a wide range of products and practices, the use of which was motivated mainly by their desire to provide care for their animals. These included herbal remedies (such as commonly used topical udder creams, including Uddermint) homeopathy, distant healing, environmental enrichment, observation methods, food products used for ingestion or external rubs, and shop-bought products.
Not all participating farmers considered all of these products or approaches to be CAM. Some farmers used multiple approaches or products which they viewed as CAM while others just used Uddermint, and did not regard this as CAM at all.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Conceptualizations of CAM</h3>
CAM was often seen as part of a wider ethos which encompassed a range of practices to manage animal health on dairy farms, rather than as one particular product, medicine or therapy. CAM was thought of by some as a natural and holistic system approach, with products made with natural ingredients that supported animals’ natural healing processes.
It also formed part of a wider philosophy regarding holistic farming more broadly with regards to land use and avoiding overuse of antibiotics. Farmers’ main motivation for using CAM was a desire to do something to support the health of their animals when other approaches were not available or appropriate.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Farming Approaches Associated with CAM use</h3>
The use of CAM was linked to organic farming and production without antibiotics (PWAB) contracts as both restrict antibiotic use, which meant that some farmers were trying different approaches to support herd health. Farmers consulted a range of advisors and resources to guide their CAM use, including veterinary support specifically relating to CAM and antibiotic use.
Dr. Kayleigh Crouch, lead author who conducted the research for her Ph.D. at the University of Bristol, said, “This is the first study to explore CAM use on dairy farms in a UK context. It is important for vets and advisors to acknowledge and discuss what herd health management approaches are used and explored by farmers.
“More open discussion surrounding the use of specific CAM practices and products on dairy farms would support better collaboration between dairy farmers, vets and other advisors in support of animal health. This would enable further study and work towards co-produced herd health plans that are farm specific and acknowledge farmers’ own goals and values. Further research in this area would be useful to gain a wider breadth of views and practices.
“The discussion about CAM in the veterinary literature often focuses on homeopathy but this does not acknowledge the widely used products such as udder creams/oils or broader approaches such as animal observations or environmental enrichment, which some farmers consider CAM. This study suggests that it may be more helpful to refer to specific products and practices by name, rather than using the term CAM more broadly, to avoid any confusion or negative associations with the term CAM.
“It is also important to acknowledge the potentially positive impacts of these products and practices, for example where they support reduced use of antibiotics. Research should be conducted into how CAM practices contribute to the One Health approach for antimicrobial resistance impact reduction and how they influence animal housing, management, and interactions to identify potential positive practices.”
David Barrett, Professor of Bovine Medicine, Production and Reproduction from the Bristol Veterinary School at the University of Bristol and a European Veterinary Specialist in Bovine Health Management, added, “The veterinary profession constantly strives to optimize animal health and welfare through the application of evidence-based veterinary medicine and the pursuit of best practice. Vets have a vital role to play in safeguarding both animal and public health, and through the One Health approach have significantly reduced antibiotic use in the dairy production chain in recent years.
“However, it has become apparent that many dairy producers are using CAM products and practices without consultation with their vets. While some of these practices might be considered simply good animal husbandry, others are controversial to those seeking an evidence base and, because of this, are not being openly discussed.
“This study does not seek to establish, or question, the efficacy of all the products and practices considered to be CAM by farmers, but to draw attention to the need for farmers, vets and others to work more closely together to ensure transparency around all the animal health related activities undertaken on a farm.”
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<title>The Government is Not Sufficiently Prepared for the Increasing Risk From Animal Disease</title>
<link>https://international-animalhealth.com/the-government-is-not-sufficiently-prepared-for-the-increasing-risk-from-animal-disease/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[theArchitect]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jun 2025 09:16:33 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[news]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://international-animalhealth.com/?p=24836</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Key public bodies are insufficiently prepared for a major animal disease1 outbreak and would likely struggle to cope with one, the latest report from the National Audit Office finds. Factors such as climate change and anti-microbial resistance mean outbreaks are increasingly frequent and livestock more vulnerable, but government lacks a strategy and action plan for improving […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Outbreaks of animal diseases have occurred in each of the past six years and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) have worked hard to manage them</li>
<li>It’s likely that Defra and APHA would struggle to cope with a more severe outbreak of animal disease</li>
<li>Long term resilience is being undermined by the necessity of focusing on increasingly frequent outbreaks and there is no long-term strategy</li>
</ul>
Key public bodies are insufficiently prepared for a major animal disease1 outbreak and would likely struggle to cope with one, the latest report from the National Audit Office finds.
Factors such as climate change and anti-microbial resistance mean outbreaks are increasingly frequent and livestock more vulnerable, but government lacks a strategy and action plan for improving resilience to animal diseases. 
Past animal disease outbreaks have had significant economic impacts. For example, the major foot and mouth disease outbreak of 2001 cost the public and private sectors an estimated £13.8 billion (in 2023-24 prices). Recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic bird flu have resulted in 7.2 million birds being culled between November 2020 and mid-March 2025.
Defra and APHA have worked hard to manage recent medium-severity outbreaks, but the report finds a range of challenges leading to them being insufficiently prepared for a more severe outbreak. These include:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Significant gaps in government contingency plans.</li>
<li>Outdated and inefficient operational processes within APHA.</li>
<li>Out of date infrastructure, particularly relating to the government’s animal science facility at Weybridge. Defra’s programme to redevelop Weybridge is now on track but will not be completed for another 10 years.</li>
<li>No comprehensive livestock movement tracing system, despite attempts to establish one beginning in 2013.</li>
<li>Capacity and skills shortages – for example, APHA’s vet vacancy rate in April 2025 was 20%.</li>
</ul>
Defra and APHA have introduced initiatives to strengthen resilience2, such as the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, which provides funding to support improvements in animal health on farms, and research and innovation to improve detection and response to disease.
However, progress is being undermined by global issues with supply of animal vaccines3 and significant threats to biosecurity at the border.
Defra’s best estimate for the proportion of live animal imports from the EU and the rest of the world currently undergoing physical checks is 5%, against a government target of 100% at border control posts by the end of 2024.4
Defra and APHA have a good understanding of new and emerging risks from animal diseases, a core principle of resilience. They have robust arrangements in place to gather intelligence on animal disease risks through ‘horizon scanning’ and international disease monitoring. APHA also conducts surveillance, testing and inspections of premises to help detect infections early and stop their spread.
But, the report says, responding to increasingly frequent outbreaks has affected Defra’s and APHA’s ability to undertake other important work that would help strengthen resilience in the longer term. Their current approach, where staff switch priority from business-as-usual activities to outbreak response, is unlikely to be fit for purpose if they are in almost constant outbreak mode.
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<item>
<title>It Starts with Animals: Health Care Providers Must be ‘Alert’ to Avian Flu Warning Signs</title>
<link>https://international-animalhealth.com/it-starts-with-animals-health-care-providers-must-be-alert-to-avian-flu-warning-signs/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[theArchitect]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jun 2025 09:15:23 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[news]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://international-animalhealth.com/?p=24834</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Growing up in rural Indiana, I had more animal friends than human ones. I raised ducks and geese, and enjoyed my time surrounded by nature. I found animals to be better listeners, and I felt calmed by being outdoors. During the COVID-19 pandemic, my husband and I were lucky enough to move into a home that […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
Growing up in rural Indiana, I had more animal friends than human ones.
I raised ducks and geese, and enjoyed my time surrounded by nature. I found animals to be better listeners, and I felt calmed by being outdoors. During the COVID-19 pandemic, my husband and I were lucky enough to move into a home that backed up to a pond, and I was again soothed and surrounded by nature. I saw Canada geese and wild ducks nest and raise their young. We watched deer from our dinner table and marveled at the muskrats, egrets, racoons and squirrels living in and around the pond.
This is why on March 27, listening to the news, my heart was broken.
On that date, 130 dead birds washed up on the shore of Lake Michigan — in southwest Michigan — 1 mile from our home. The birds were long-tailed ducks, seagulls and the murky mergansers. There was also a dead deer on the beach that day.
There are numerous case reports of birds dying and washing up on the shores of Lake Michigan — in Wisconsin and Illinois, as well — and all confirmed to be from the H5N1 avian flu virus.
In May of 2024, chickens began dying on a rescue and hobby farm owned by my friends in Lake Odessa, Michigan. The Michigan Department of Rural Development was alerted and within 6 hours swab testing had been completed, which led to the euthanasia of all 86 of their birds.
This euthanasia of the entire flock was performed in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), to prevent the spread of avian flu to a neighboring mass production egg farm. Once avian flu is detected on a farm, it must cull (ie, euthanize) its entire flock and quarantine for 120 days.
This was not an isolated incident. Also in March, the Mississippi Board of Animal Health reported it had detected highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which is deadly to humans and resulted in the culling of more than 40,000 chickens.
According to the Ohio Department of Agriculture data, 10 million birds have died statewide over the past year. This presents a problem, as Ohio is one of the largest egg producers in the country.
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reports, to date, that more than 100 million birds have died due to the spread of avian flu virus in the United States.
The avian flu virus, which the WHO has labelled as panzootic, as affected more than 500 species of animals worldwide, including 70 species of mammals. Mountain lions, bears, seals, dolphins, coyotes, foxes and others have been infected. Zoos have also experienced outbreaks and animal deaths due to avian flu. Big cats like cheetahs and mountain lions are particularly susceptible to H5N1.
Even domestic cats have been infected with avian flu. In house cats, avian flu carries a 50% mortality risk, according to the CDC. Although not common in dogs, they can catch the virus, according to Amy Attas, VMD, of the American Kennel Club. It is especially important to keep dogs away from dead or infected farm animals and birds.
As the respiratory virus is mutating and changing its genes, animal-to-human transmission is becoming more common. According to Andrew Pekosz, PhD, professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, there have been, as of May, 80 human cases of avian flu reported in the United States in the past 12 months.
Human transmission is most common in farm workers who are exposed to bird droppings or infected milk from dairy cows. Dairy cows have been the second largest victim of the virus. According to the USDA, more than 900 dairy herds have been infected across the country. H5N1 and HPAI are additionally spread via the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts of birds, which can lead to rapid transmission via contact with farm equipment and clothing among farm workers.
COVID-19 was caused by coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection and its rapid spread was in part due to this virus being airborne. In the 20th century, the NIH documented three pandemics caused by mutations of the influenza A virus — the 1918 Spanish influenza, (H1N1), the 1957 influenza pandemic in southeast Asia (H2N2), and the 1968 Hong Kong influenza ( H3N2) — all of which killed millions of people.
The question remains, are we setting ourselves up for the next pandemic? Are the animals giving us a warning signal? The animal world is experiencing a pandemic that has spread across every continent except Australia.
There is only one reported human death from the avian flu in the United States. Most human cases have been mild, with 93% of cases reporting conjunctivitis, 49% demonstrating fever and 36% reporting respiratory symptoms, according to the CDC.
The CDC has labeled the threat from avian flu as low, as no human-to-human transmission of the virus has been detected yet.
Still, the trajectory and spread of this virus have not slowed down. We as health care providers need to stay aware and informed. We must pay attention to what is happening on farms and in nature, and protect ourselves and our patients from exposures leading to infection.
We all remember how unprepared we were in our offices in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic began. We saw our most vulnerable patients become hospitalized and die due to complications of a virus no one knew how to manage or prevent. We looked for guidance from the CDC but felt helpless when our patients died due to being vulnerable and immunosuppressed.
We all entered the health care field to help our patients maintain and improve their health outcomes and quality of life. Rheumatology provides the unique opportunity to care for our patients throughout their lifespan. I have been lucky enough to care for some patients for 26 years now, and I am concerned about the safety and future of our patients.
We must all be educated, aware and alert to the signs and symptoms of avian flu in our patients, especially those who are farmers or work in the dairy industry. We must insist that individuals remain up to date on their influenza vaccination, as contracting influenza A can weaken the immune system and make one more susceptible to avian flu.
We must also continue to use universal precautions and wash our hands when in contact with animals, as well as raw meat or milk. I recommend that people take their shoes off before entering the home, if you are walking in an area where wild or domestic bird fecal matter is present.
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<title>The Effect of the Discontinued Use of Zinc Oxide on Antimicrobial Usage in Danish Pig Farms</title>
<link>https://international-animalhealth.com/the-effect-of-the-discontinued-use-of-zinc-oxide-on-antimicrobial-usage-in-danish-pig-farms/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[theArchitect]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jun 2025 09:13:25 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[news]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://international-animalhealth.com/?p=24832</guid>
<description><![CDATA[In the Danish pig industry, zinc oxide, used for prevention of E. coli-related post-weaning diarrhoea in weaners, was banned in 2022 due to environmental concerns. This epidemiological study aimed to estimate the effect of the discontinued use of zinc oxide on antimicrobial usage (AMU) for weaners and finishers in Danish farms. Using farm and prescription data […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
In the Danish pig industry, zinc oxide, used for prevention of E. coli-related post-weaning diarrhoea in weaners, was banned in 2022 due to environmental concerns. This epidemiological study aimed to estimate the effect of the discontinued use of zinc oxide on antimicrobial usage (AMU) for weaners and finishers in Danish farms. Using farm and prescription data from 2018 to 2023 from national databases, we fitted a linear mixed-effect model to a three-level nested dataset, consisting of monthly average standardized AMU (Defined Animal Daily Doses per pig-day), on a farm, overseen by a veterinarian.
The most significant effect of the zinc oxide ban was seen for weaners, where AMU increased by ∼5 % on average in the first 5 months post-discontinuation, followed by a ∼17 % increase after > 5 months. A long-term effect was also seen for weaners on farms that did not use zinc oxide in the year preceding the ban, where AMU increased by ∼19 % on average > 5 months after the ban was enforced, although from a lower pre-ban AMU. The between-farm variation indicated that the effect of the absence of zinc oxide on the prevalence of post-weaning diarrhoea was significantly influenced by individual farm management practices. The random variation in AMU between farms overseen by the same veterinarian was ∼10 times higher than the estimated variation between veterinarians, indicating that antimicrobial prescriptions made by veterinarians are specific to the disease status in each farm. The estimated autocorrelation in AMU between consecutive months indicates that the constant amount of antimicrobials needed to manage the production is linked to non-varying management practices in individual farms.
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