Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) remains a significant challenge for the Irish agricultural industry, with outbreaks causing hardships for impacted herds and owners. The state’s expenditure on the bTB eradication program in 2023 reached about €74.3 million, a 29% increase from the previous year.
Despite the rise in funding, the herd incidence rate also climbed to nearly 5% by the end of 2023, indicating the complexity of eradicating the disease. Many farmers wonder if a vaccine could help control the spread of bTB.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) explained that ongoing research on a bTB vaccine is being conducted by colleagues in the UK, focusing on a candidate vaccine called CattleBCG. This BCG strain has shown promise in reducing TB severity in cattle but requires further testing to determine its efficacy in real-world settings.
One of the main challenges hindering the use of a bTB vaccine is the lack of a test that can distinguish between naturally infected animals and those vaccinated. Progress is being made, with a vaccine known as ‘Detecting Infected among Vaccinated Animals’ (DIVA) showing promising results in safety trials.
Despite advancements in vaccine development, the introduction of a bTB vaccine for cattle is still at least a decade away from the market, according to Dr. Damien Barrett from the DAFM. The vaccine would need to enable differentiation between vaccinated and infected animals to avoid repercussions on exports.
Certification for vaccinated cattle poses another hurdle, as current vaccines could cause animals to fail the tuberculin test, impacting trade agreements. Collaboration with global organizations like the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) will be crucial to navigate these challenges.
The ongoing trials in the UK involving a lifelong vaccine for cattle, similar to that used in humans, highlight the potential benefits once a safe and effective solution is available. Dr. Barrett emphasized the importance of exploring TB vaccines for cattle when they meet the necessary standards for certification.
Looking ahead, the road to implementing a bTB vaccine in cattle is paved with legal, trade, and certification obstacles that must be tackled to ensure the success of an eradication program. While progress has been made in research and trials, the timeline for a viable solution remains uncertain.
In conclusion, the quest for a bTB vaccine continues to be a focal point for agricultural authorities, but significant challenges lie ahead before such a solution can be implemented. The collaborative efforts between research institutions, government bodies, and international organizations play a vital role in advancing towards a future where bTB is effectively controlled and managed in cattle populations. Subscribe to Cattle Weekly’s newsletter for more updates on the latest developments in combating bovine tuberculosis.
