Latest news with #AustralianPesticidesandVeterinaryMedicinesAuthority
West Australian
5 days ago
- Health
- West Australian
Much-needed footrot vaccine ‘at least three years away'
A long-awaited custom footrot vaccine for sheep is likely to be at least three years away from hitting the market, according to one industry group gunning to get it back in farmers' hands. It has been nearly five years since Australian farmers have been able to access the Custom Footrot R-Pilus vaccine after its emergency management permit was cancelled by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority in 2020. Farmers had used the custom vaccine for several years as a replacement for Coopers' Footvax — a multi-serotype vaccine targeting 10 strains of footrot, which was banned by the APVMA in 2008. The ban left sheep producers struggling to eradicate footrot in sheep by foot paring/foot bathing, antibiotic treatment under specific conditions and the culling of flocks under a destocking regime. While Footvax returned to the market in 2020, industry argues limiting the number of serogroups results in a more targeted immune response. WoolProducers Australia general manager Adam Dawes said the organisation had been 'working tirelessly' since 2020 to explore ways to get the vaccine in use again and determined the 'only way' would be via full product registration. The organisation has been working with the University of Sydney, which owns the vaccine's intellectual property, and Animal Health Australia, to try and register it with the APVMA. The groups plan to release a report into their research in coming weeks, before doubling-down on efforts to register the vaccine and 'identify the necessary funding arrangements and timeframes'. 'We have consistently found during the past three years that footrot always features within the top three health and welfare issues for woolgrowers,' Mr Dawes said. 'The report will give us clarity around the requirements for registration, it will allow us to find the right partners to get the vaccine back to growers. 'We still have at least another three years ahead of us before we obtain full registration of the custom vaccine. 'We still need to find the funds to support the research and registration process, however it's reassuring to finally see some light at the end of the tunnel.' Footrot is a highly contagious disease that attacks the feet of sheep causing severe lameness and loss of body condition. It is prevalent in many countries around the world and, in Australia, the financial impact of the disease on the wool and livestock industry is estimated at $84 million a year.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Aussie property owners called to action over 'world's worst' invasive threat
Authorities are calling on property owners impacted by a concerning invasive species spreading across Australia to do the right thing amid concerns that a program to stop the spread has been put in jeopardy by those refusing treatments. Residents who live in fire ant hotspots along specific areas in southeast Queensland can be visited up to six times in two years to get eradication treatment on their properties, but those carrying out the work have recently reported they have been threatened and "intimidated". The Invasive Species Council (ISC) believes there has been misinformation spreading about the treatment, sparking fear that it impacts public health and the health of their pets. However, the treatment — which involves a bait that renders the queens infertile — has been approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) and has the least impact on wildlife and the environment. Disinformation about the treatment has been branded "dangerous". "Fire ant treatments are scientifically proven to be non-toxic to humans, animals, including cats and dogs, and the environment when used as directed," ISC Advocacy Manager Reece Pianta said. "While we understand there are some well-meaning concerns, we want to assure everyone that fire ant treatments are safe, effective and do not harm animals... fire ants can sting and cause injury or even death to pets. Treatments and insecticides are used overseas to protect domestic animals from the impacts of fire ants." Pianta called out the threatening behaviour being reported, branding it as "disgraceful". "[It] must stop," he said. 🚨 Photo reveals 'devastating' threat fenced off as Australia on high alert 👶 Strangers find Aussie toddler wandering alone, covered in ants ‼️ What to do if you're stung by a fire ant Fire ants are deemed "one of the world's worst invasive species" and are a direct threat to human health as their stings can cause skin irritation and severe allergic reactions which can cause hospitalisation and even death. When a red ant nest is disturbed, the colony work together to attack the perceived predator, and hundreds of ants can inject venom into the skin. The stings are painful giving off a fire-like burning sensation before swelling and redness occur. Days later, sting sites develop blisters and pustules. Fire ants are highly mobile and can travel up to five kilometres, easily establishing new nests and spreading rapidly, meaning intervention is an absolute necessity if we want to prevent the country from being overrun with the pests. Fire ants have been a serious issue in the US, and reports of some homeowners taking matters into their own hands began to circulate. Residents were "pouring petrol on their lawns and regularly using chemicals-off label" which the ISC warned would be an "environmental disaster" if adopted in Australia. "If fire ants spread, we could see 650,000 additional medical visits annually as Australians are stung in parks, backyards, and public spaces," Pianta said. "If we are going to successfully eradicate fire ants, we can't just kill some nests, we must destroy every nest and do it systematically." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
