Vaccine stands against livestock killer

Chris McCullough For Agri-View

AUSTRALIA – The world’s first biodegradable vaccine for foot-and-mouth disease has been developed in Australia, a country that has remained free from the dreaded livestock killer for more than 150 years.

Foot-and-mouth disease is an extremely infectious viral disease that affects cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. It remains widespread globally and is endemic in many countries – particularly in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. More recently the disease has appeared on a number of farms in Europe – in Germany, Hungary and Slovakia.

Even though Australia remains free of foot-and-mouth disease, officials there realize how much damage the disease could do, if it were to appear. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences has estimated a foot-and-mouth-disease incursion could cost the Australian economy as much as $80 billion, which would have a catastrophic impact on trade, animal welfare and farm productivity.

The breakthrough in vaccine development was made possible through a $20 million, five-year research partnership between Meat & Livestock Australia, Tiba Biotech and the New South Wales Government. The vaccine has taken less than 18 months to develop and has cost about $2.5 million.

Michael Crowley is the Meat & Livestock Australia managing director. He said it’s hoped a foot-and-mouth-disease vaccine will never be needed, but the research represented a proactive approach to managing biosecurity risk.

He said, “(Foot-and-mouth disease) is present in countries near to Australia and is front of mind for industry in terms of potential biosecurity risks. Vaccination may not necessarily be required in the event of a disease incursion, but this research demonstrates that the Australian industry is proactive and prepared.”

Researchers found that the new vaccine demonstrated strong, effective immune response and safety in preliminary trials in Germany. Vaccinated cattle did not contract foot-and-mouth disease when exposed to the disease and, importantly, they did not shed the virus.

The new biodegradable vaccine uses mRNA to induce an immune response, rather than an actual virus. Vaccines using mRNA have been proven safe for animals and for consumers.

Following the trials, the vaccine must now undergo a rigorous evaluation process with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority before approval for use on livestock.

New South Wales Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty, said, “The delivery of a (foot-and-mouth-disease) vaccine is part of the Minns Government’s commitment to safeguarding livestock from key biosecurity threats and ensuring the state’s agriculture industry can thrive.

“Developing local capacity to produce vaccines against emergency animal diseases is a critical priority for the (New South Wales) government, Australia’s livestock industries and our economy.”

Vaccines using mRNA allow the animal to create proteins and antibodies to trigger an immune response. They do it without entering the nucleus of cells and disappear from the animal within days, leaving antibodies behind for protection against the virus.

Australian-based Tiba co-founder Peter McGrath said, “Australia is now at the forefront of livestock-vaccine development, bringing with it the potential to develop manufacturing capacity, jobs and exports.

“Unlike current mRNA technologies, our vaccines can be stored long-term at standard refrigeration temperatures and even at room temperature for at least one month, which is a critical advantage in livestock applications.”

The project is conducting similar research to develop a vaccine for lumpy skin disease, which is also a significant exotic disease threat to Australia.

The foot-and-mouth-disease project has included input from the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, the German Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

This is an original article written for Agri-View, a Lee Enterprises agricultural publication based in Madison, Wisconsin. Visit AgriView.com for more information.