Industry support needed for louping ill vaccine trial to become on-farm reality

Things are looking hopeful for a new vaccine to protect sheep against louping ill – welcome news with the previous vaccine no longer available and the number of flocks affected by ticks on the rise.

Although louping ill can affect cattle, goats, horses, dogs, pigs, some camelids and humans, the ticktransmitted viral disease is primarily of concern for sheep and red grouse. Therefore Moredun and the Game & Wildlife Trust have been working jointly on vaccination and challenge trials, kindly funded by grouse moor owners.

Trials

Beth Wells of Moredun reports the trials for the new generation louping ill virus vaccine are complete and offer promising results. She says: “The results confirmed the vaccine raised a very strong immune response (antibodies against louping ill) in the vaccinated sheep, protected them when challenged (no clinical signs recorded) and the pathology results confirmed the virus did not enter the brain.

“So the very good news is there is a prototype vaccine showing efficacy that can go forward to further development and commercialisation.”

Moredun says numerous potential vaccine

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manufacturers have been approached but there are huge potential barriers. Sales figures of previous louping ill virus vaccines are low and regulatory requirements make the cost of bringing a vaccine to market costly.

Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, comments: “NSA, alongside other industry groups, has already provided support letters, but the more evidence we can collate to demonstrate the need and urgency for this vaccine, the higher chance of success. I urge any NSA members who are also part of farming groups, industries, associations and/or moorland groups to send a support letter to Moredun.”

Dr Wells continues: “The process for registration remains unclear, which is likely to lead to delays in the further development and commercialisation of the vaccine. But Moredun fully understands the urgent need for this vaccine and, despite the commercialisation challenges, is fully committed.”

Email enquiries@nationalsheep.org.uk to request a template support letter. And don’t miss the NSA/ Moredun tick control webinar – details on page 2.

Statement of clarification

Moredun has approached the Veterinary Medicines Directive (VMD) to establish limited marketing authorisation, which replaces the former EU Minor Use Minor Species regulations and should be a quicker, simpler and cheaper option to obtain regulatory approval. VMD has asked Moredun to create a dossier for consideration, which needs support letters to increase impact.

Bluefaced Leicesters

The last edition of Sheep Farmer carried an article titled ‘Climate change and bracken growth tied to rise in ticks and tick-borne diseases’. NSA would like to confirm louping ill virus was already present in the UK but is now spreading to new areas, rather than being a novel disease to the UK.

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