Side effects of the skin test?

Dianne Summers of the TB Support Group has sent us the following letter:

'REACTIONS' FOLLOWING THE SKIN TESTING OF ALPACAS.

Members of the Alpaca TB support group who have kindly forwarded details of their tests, losses and post mortem results to me for filing, have also mentioned some extreme reactions in their animals, following the skin test jabs.

One of my own animals, (Cloud) also had this reaction. In Cloud’s case, it appeared within an hour of the test, (after my AHO had left) and left him gasping for breath, with legs extended, distressed and with an increased heartbeat. Although his ‘reaction’ had gone within a couple of days, Cloud was subsequently found to have generalised TB at postmortem.

Within our small support group of 28 alpaca owners, 22 animals have suffered a similar reaction. In three cases, the animals have died before the reading of the test. Others have been euthanased on welfare grounds. Some appeared to recover, but a positive skin test and/or blood test has meant they have been culled and found to have clinical TB at postmortem, some in several organs of their bodies.

A retired veterinary scientist, who attended an Alpaca TB Awareness Roadshow and is on my mailing list for updates of our support group, has expressed interest in this 'side effects' data which the group have provided. Although he has been worked for almost 40 years with bTB in cattle (and badgers), the extreme reaction to the skin test which some of our alpacas have had, is something he has not experienced before.

He is keen to document it and offer his findings to the veterinary / scientific press. To do this he needs to speak directly to the owners (or their vets) of animals in which this reaction has been seen. In papers of this sort, owner's anonymity is completely protected, with the animal in question given a label 'a' or 'b', or numbered.

It is not lumps or bumps he is looking for. It is this violent (and sometimes fatal) whole body type reaction to the skin test, which is of interest. This may happen within the first minutes (or hours) of the jab and in my case (Cloud) could not have been passed off as ‘stress’. The interest of the veterinary professionals who have requested information from owners, is driven by concern for the welfare of our alpacas. As this reaction is not routinely seen in cattle, it is possible that it is a violently ‘positive’ reaction of alpacas who may have clinical TB (as the majority of this 'side effect' group have proved to have) when given the screening test of a bTB ppd antigen jab.

If any alpaca owner has experienced this ‘side effect’ of the skin test on any of their animals, and would be prepared to contribute this experience to the author of the proposed veterinary paper, could they please contact me on the numbers below.

Dianne Summers
Camelid TB Support Group
01209 822422
07949511316
summersdianne@yahoo.com

Regional Welfare Reps

In answer to the post by alpaca vet and in answer to some of the comments to that post we have received this copy from A Regional Group Welfare Rep which shows that BAS Secretary, Clare Waring sent the latest TB Update to all the Regional Welfare Reps on 13th May 2010 and you will see the names are listed. Did your Welfare Rep pass this information on to you – if not ask them why?
Welfare Reps should pass vital information on, that is the whole purpose of the National Committees. They are not there to censor what information their members receive.

--- On Thu, 13/5/10, Claire Waring wrote:

From: Claire Waring
Subject: FW: TB Update As of 1st May 2010
To: "BAS Brian Raine" , "BAS Carole Christian "
, "BAS Debbie Forsyth" , "BAS
Dianne Summers " , "BAS Felicia Sanders "
, "BAS Graham Reed" , "BAS
Jeremy Holland " , "BAS Karen Oglesby"
, "BAS Lesley Howard" , "BAS Liz Butler" , "BAS Liz Taylor", "BAS Lorna Renshaw" , "BAS Mary Tollit" , "BAS Mike Birch" , "BAS Nick Weber " ,"BAS Nicki Jones" , "BAS Philip O'Conor"
, "BAS Richard Beale " ,
"BAS Rob Bettinson" , "BAS Sandra Scott"
, "BAS Shirley Bettinson" , "BAS Stuart Drysdale" , "BAS Vicki Agar" , "BAS Yvonne Wilkinson"
Date: Thursday, 13 May, 2010, 20:54

Dear Welfare representatives

Please find attached the latest TB situation report from Di Summers.

Kind regards

Claire


-----Original Message-----
From: Dianne Summers [mailto:summersdianne@yahoo.com]

Sent: 11 May 2010 20:23
To: Dianne Summers
Subject: TB Update As of 1st May 2010

Dear TB Support Group and TB Update Group and B.A.S.
B.C.L.

PLEASE NOTE THIS DATA IS FROM 28 HERDS THAT ARE IN CONTACT WITH THE TB
SUPPORT GROUP. 18 OF WHICH ARE CURRENTLY UNDER RESTRICTION AND A FURTHER 10 NOW OUT OF RESTRICTION.

THERE ARE OTHER HERDS UNDER RESTRICTION THAT ARE NOT IN TOUCH WITH THE TB SUPPORT GROUP. I THEREFORE HAVE NO DATA ON THOSE.

Firstly, I am pleased to announce that my name and the TB Support Group is now added onto the AH/DEFRA letter of consent to test. The letter of consent is the document given to new herds that have the misfortune to come down to TB. A document they must sign when they agree to test. I am thankful to AH/DEFRA for this and proves not only that we are working together but also they recognise the TB Support Group as invaluable help for fellow camelid sufferers. This also puts paid to those that have classed the work I do as being scare mongering and hysteria. DEFRA/AH would hardly contemplate putting my name on such an important document if that was the case.

Up to Dec 31st 2009 those in contact with the TB support group lost 144 alpacas/llamas confirmed TB. This works out roughly 12 a month. From that 144 we had 12 skin test positives 7 of which were from one herd.

In the first 4 months of 2010 From 1st Jan - 30th April 2010 members in contact with the TB support group have lost:

94 alpacas. 9 of which were skin test positives 48 were Rapid/Gamma blood test positives All of which passed the skin test. 37 sudden death or euthanized due to clinical signs

94 losses in 4 months = 23.5 per month so double the quarterly ratio of
last year.

From this 94 only 9 were skin test positives.

Again this is only from data provided from herds in contact with the TB
support group.

We all know the skin test isn't removing infected animals from the herds with the exception of a low number of skin test positives but the blood tests are. This is why the gamma interferon validation project on Tb free areas is vital and a very important update will follow shortly. Watch this space - but we have a lot to thank BAS Mike Birch for - for his constant hard work and the herds who have kindly offered up their alpacas for testing - the alpaca industry have an awful lot to thank you both for. Once/If validated we are well on our way to a reliable ante mortem test but this of course depends on the findings from the trials. Lets all keep our fingers crossed. It is working well on herds with breakdowns but it needs to work well on those not in a breakdown. We all know specificity v sensitivity and the importance of both.

DATA ON BLOOD TESTS

From Nov 2009 - March 31st the Gamma Interferon blood test has been used on 4 herds in the TB Support Group and has picked up 50 TB infected alpacas from 155 alpacas tested in just 4 months on 4 herds.

3 other herds in the TB support group have had both the rapid and gamma blood tests done on their entire herds in May so their data and results are not included in this update. However the Gamma is picking up far more infected animals than the rapid.

Lastly my heartfelt thanks go out to the kind members of the TB Support Group who have kindly submitted their data to me - not only on the numbers lost but also blood test results - side effects – watch group etc. Thanks to them we have this data and thanks to them this data has driven the gamma validation project along. So thanks to them we are hopefully on our way to a reliable ante mortem test.

I hope you found this information useful - please feel free to post this information on your websites or blogs.

Kindest regards

Dianne Summers
Camelid TB Support Group
01209 822422
07949511316

Breeders' Input Needed

We have been asked to post this message, please comment on how your regional group is keeping you informed.

Hi Bloggers,

When I give advice to clients about TB they inevitably ask me why they don't get regular information from BAS updating them on the TB situation. Why don't they? I thought that all of the regions had welfare representatives whose remit surely must include informing their members about any developments and the situation regarding animals lost to date. Why has BAS either not got or is not sharing this information?

Alpaca Vet

Update - You Have TB in your herd - WHATS NEXT

As soon as you suffer your first loss to TB – your entire herd is at risk and there are immediate measures you can take to reduce the risk of spread amongst your own herd/neighbouring livestock. Having lost one there is a strong chance another of this group or your entire herd is infected. There is lots of information available from DEFRA on their website regarding protecting your herd from wildlife and I urge you to follow that advice - but the following is additional information and is camelid specific. Cattle do not tend to spit nor do they tend to carry open lesions whilst outwardly showing no symptoms- camelids, however, are a totally different story.

DO NOT WAIT FOR THE CULTURE TO CONFIRM TB WHICH CAN TAKE UP TO 12 WEEKS. ACT IMMEDIATELY.

1. Consider the group from which you suffered your first loss as potentially infected.

2. Do not move any of this group out nor move any of your other groups in with this group. Discontinue mating with your own stud males until you are out of restriction.

3. Ensure no nose to nose contact /spitting distance between your other groups/neighbouring livestock. If you cannot move this group to an isolation field you must install perimeter fencing/secondary fencing including gateways with at least a 10 foot gap. If you have a foot path running through your property install secondary fencing so no human contact is possible.

4. Foot dips must be used when entering and leaving your farm and paddocks. DEFRA Recommend FAM 30 along with others (which kills TB) available from most farming suppliers – not only as a foot dip but for disinfecting stables- equipment etc.

5. Use separate cleaning equipment for this field - never use it on other fields unless it has been disinfected. If you use a poo hoover scrub wheels down before entering other fields. Same applies to any tractors etc that have been in this field.

6. Clean water troughs daily make sure troughs are a minimum 3 feet off the ground or in reach of cria.

7. Use as many hay racks a possible to eliminate any fighting/spitting over hay.

8. No hand feeding. You will pass potentially infected saliva from one to the other let alone yourself.

9. Wear protective clothing and remove before handling any of your other groups.

10. Wear disposable gloves – protective clothing - face masks - when handling this group esp. if handling the face/mouth area. Remember this is a zoonosis – can pass to humans so therefore keep children away and minimise the contact. Cease holding any hands on courses if you are under restriction. Follow HSA and HPA guidelines.

11. Try to feed in individual buckets and do not let them go from bucket to bucket. If you cannot do this due to the size of the group allow plenty of feeding troughs and clean out after feeding and tip upside down.

12. Monitor your herd daily and often closely. If any of this group or your other groups show any signs/symptoms – REMOVE THEM from this group immediately along with a mate for company and seek vet advice. Do not return this animal to the group until you are certain this animal does not have TB or has recovered from illness. Often they show very subtle signs – get to know your herd. Monitor weight – breathing – feeding habits – lethargy – coughing – stiffness in getting up and cushing down – overall demeanour or any change in their normal behaviour.

13. Notify people if you have sold any of your herd to them or have had matings etc as AH/DEFRA may be in contact with them.

14. AH/DEFRA will visit you and ask for all your movement records so have them ready for your visit. They will discuss the procedures with you. Ask them for a copy of the current policy and procedures..

15. Also HPA (Health Protection Agency) will contact you to discuss the risks to you and your family/staff and they may arrange X Rays BCGs Skin test on those in contact with your herd if they feel it necessary.

16. Your first skin test will be carried out either straightaway or 90 days after your first loss. If TB was evident on PM it is strongly advisable that you request your first skin test is carried out as soon as possible rather than wait 90 days. Better to remove reactors as soon as possible. A lot can happen in 90 days. I am not aware of a single false positive on the skin test – however there are many false negatives.

17. You will need a small pen approx 4feet wide by 5 feet deep or a crush – if you make a crush – ensure there is space for the AH vet to be able to get to the armpit. If you can handle your animals the procedure is not too stressful on your herd and you can simply halter the animal and hold as you do when you carryout injections but if you can’t then you will need a crush for not only your own safety but that of your animals. You can ask your vet to sedate any you feel will be too difficult but you will have to pay for that. There are many homeopathy treatments that are very useful i.e. AAA/Valerian for stress – useful for not only your herd but for you.

18. Any reactors – you must isolate as it may take up to 10 days before AH can arrange for removal. Also those that fall into the “watch” category must also be isolated. “Watch” is simply those that have had a reaction but not met the current 2mm measurement for a positive or have had a severe side effect following the skin. You will be offered either euthanasia by injection or captive bolt. This will be carried out on farm.

19. The animal/s will be removed afterwards and taken to the VLA for PM also paid for by DEFRA.

20. If you do not cull your positives you will not be allowed to undergo any further testing – or receive compensation and will therefore be under restriction until that animal either dies or you cull.

21. Once you have culled your reactor/s or if you suffer any further losses in your herd the 90 day process begins all over again – so you have a test 90 days after your loss and then another test 90 days after that providing no further losses have occurred.

22. You may be offered alternative under trial blood tests – consider these carefully before agreeing as you will be required to cull ALL positives. Blood tests do pick out infected animals which the skin test is missing.

23. If your entire herd test negative – do not think your herd are in the clear. Negative skin test does not mean your animals do not have TB. Continue to monitor as above. Do not use the skin test as a marketing tool. A negative skin test does not mean your animal is Tb free

24. Tell your shearer or anyone who needs to handle your herd that you are under restriction. You are putting their health at risk if you fail to do so and ramifications of such actions should you not be honest may be severe. .

25. If/when you become clear and restrictions are removed it is highly recommended you do not sell/show/ move your herd anywhere for a minimum of 12 months, due to the inaccuracy of the skin test and the risk of infecting other herds/livestock especially if you have refused blood tests.. Continue to use all the previous bio security measures throughout the quarantine period.

26. Finally – DO NOT go through this on your own – contact Dianne Summers who not only has firsthand experience of TB in her own herd but also heads the Camelid TB Support group where fellow TB sufferers are in touch with each other and can share advice, symptoms and data and someone is always at the end of the phone 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The support is also emotional support which you may also need. Contact Dianne on 01209 822422 07949511316 or summersdianne@yahoo.com All data you provide will be treated strictly private and confidential and will not even be passed on to the other members of the TB support group unless you are happy to do so. The Support Group works closely with DEFRA and AH and if problems arise we can help.


See files attached
Defra TB in Camelids leaflet
Defra Approved Disinfectants
Possible Signs and symptoms of TB in your herd
HSE Advice
HPA Advice
PM Film Throat Lesions
DS
Updated 22.05.2010

Important Advice from HSE and HPA

Dianne Summers of the TB Support Group has kindly sent us the following documents which have been sent to her from Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Health Protection Agency (HPA).

The documents as a whole can be seen under “Useful Links” on the right hand side of this blog.

Please note although both documents refer mainly to cattle we need to be extra vigilant when dealing with TB in camelids. Cattle don’t tend to spit nor do cattle carry massive open TB lesions in their throats or lungs – see the case history files on this blog for more details and photographs, they are in the "Blog Archive" under April 2010. Therefore the risk to human health has to be far greater. TB is a zoonosis.


HSE Advice

Introduction

All farm animals naturally carry a range of diseases, some of which can also affect humans. These diseases are known as zoonoses, and if you work with animals your health may be at risk from them. Although some of these diseases (eg anthrax, brucellosis and rabies) are not common in Great Britain, good occupational hygiene practices will protect against them, as well as other more common zoonoses such as leptospirosis, orf or ringworm.

Diseases transmitted from animals to humans can also affect visitors to farms -especially children or the elderly, who are more vulnerable to infection. These illnesses include those resulting from infection with the organisms Escherichia coli O157 (E coli O157) and Cryptosporidium parvum.

If you open your farm to the public you should take special precautions to make sure that they are not made ill by zoonoses.

Brucellosis, anthrax, bovine tuberculosis and BSE are notifiable or reportable diseases and subject to animal health legislation. Suspected cases must be reported to the Divisional Veterinary Manager at the Animal Health Divisional Office (AHDO).

Legal requirements


Zoonoses are caused by micro-organisms, which are subject to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002 (as amended). COSHH requires employers and self-employed people to:


• assess the risks to health from work activities which involve a hazardous substance (eg a micro-organism);


• prevent or, where this is not reasonably practicable, adequately control exposure to the hazardous substances;


• introduce and maintain control measures;


• inform, instruct and train employees about the risks and precautions to be taken;


• regularly review risk assessments and the effectiveness of control measures.

Safe working practices


Consider the following:

● avoid or minimise the use of equipment or tools likely to cause cuts, abrasions or puncture wounds, and use safe working practices and PPE where appropriate;

Presumably the above would include shearing equipment

Personal hygiene

Any work with animals inevitably involves contact with dung and urine, which contain disease-causing organisms. Personal hygiene is therefore vitally important. If you are an employer, provide washing facilities wherever staff or visitors work with animals (at least, clean running water and paper towels). Make sure that you and your staff:

• wash cuts and grazes immediately with soap and running water;
cover new and existing wounds with a waterproof dressing before beginning work -some organisms enter the body through open wounds. Consider whether you or your staff need first-aid training;

● wash hands and arms before eating, drinking or smoking after contacting animals, or working in areas with animal dung.

Bovine tuberculosis

Bovine TB is most commonly carried by cattle, badgers and deer, and can infect humans by inhalation or hand-to-mouth contact. People handling infected cattle are at risk, especially if they become contaminated with mucus from the respiratory tract (eg by holding the animalʼs nose) and then do not follow the basic rules of good personal hygiene.


Many people will have been immunised against TB in childhood (the ʻBCGʼ immunisation). This gives substantial but not complete protection. If you are in an area where infection in cattle is common, consider whether you should contact your doctor to check your immunisation status. Do not rely on the BCG immunisation to prevent infection -always follow good practice.

Below are extracts from the Health Protection Agency

How is bovine TB transmitted?


Transmission of M. bovis can occur between animals, from animals to humans and, more rarely, from humans to animals and between humans. It is also possible to contract M. bovis infection by inhaling the bacteria shed by infectious animals in respiratory and other secretions, or through contamination of unprotected cuts or abrasions in the skin while handling infected animals or their carcasses, although this is rare.


Reducing the risk of human M. bovis infection on farms


Working with livestock may involve close contact with latently infected animals or animals with active tuberculosis. Relevant regulations require farmers to adopt appropriate measures to minimise exposure of employees and farm visitors to infections that can be transmitted to humans from animals. These include awareness of possible risks from contaminated aerosols in areas frequented by farm workers.

In order to reduce the risk of exposure to bovine TB bacteria on livestock farms you should:

• Wash hands thoroughly several times a day and always before eating, smoking and after finishing work for the day

• Wash skin wounds immediately with soap and running water and cover with a waterproof dressing

• Do not drink, eat or smoke in animal areas

• Where possible, do not handle reactor cattle or other suspect animals around the nose


We are sure that after the TB Awareness Meetings no responsible alpaca owner would encourage others to handle any animal it suspects of carrying TB and would also be aware that a negative skin test is no indicator that an animal is free from bTB.

Gamma Interferon Validation Project

Dianne Summers of the TB Support group has asked us to Post this
very important announcement.


It is with great pleasure I can announce we have reached the 300 alpacas from Tb Free Areas to start the validation project.

I have known this for about a week but I needed to get Mike Birch's approval to release the news.

So you see hard work and tenacity does pay off - Mike Birch and I have attended meetings - given data - worked closely with the VLA at Weybridge and thanks so much to Mike Birch for the hard work he has put into acquiring the 300 alpacas that are needed. We have an awful lot to thank him for. He is a superb BAS Chair and he has worked so hard on the TB issue with me for well over a year now. Who would have thought when we attended the Gamma Project meeting in March this year that just 2 months later we are on our way.

We have to give a huge heartfelt thanks to those kind alpaca owners who have come forward and contributed to the 300 - we cannot thank you enough. The camelid industry has so much to thank you for. Thanks doesn't seem to be a strong enough word to use - unsung hero's would be more fitting..

A huge thanks to Martin and Shelley at the VLA Weybridge for the work they have done on this project and to DEFRA/AH all of whom are involved.

Thanks to BAS and BCL for funding this project - I myself believe this is the most important project our industries have had to face and I am delighted our funds are being spent on this.

Thanks to Dr Gina Bromage for her hard work on the Tb Awareness meetings and for all her help and advice she has given the Tb Support Group - Gina has had to suffer constant emails from me since Sept 08.

Lastly we have to thank my members of the TB Support Group who agreed to use the gamma on their herds and therefore produce the data that has driven this project along. If no one had agreed to do the test in the first place we wouldn't be here now. It had to be trialed on herds under restriction first so we have to thank them for agreeing to use an unvalidated test in the hope it works but with the knowledge that IF it did then it would benefit the camelid industry in the future. They could have simply had 2 rounds of skin test gone clear but they didn't so these people should be thanked and appreciated. They are the reason we are at this point.

Lets hope this is validated we know the specificity v sensitivity and the
importance of both and lets hope and pray we could possibly be on the verge of a reliable ante mortem test. This is a huge step in the right direction.

To think back in Sept 08 when I was screaming from the roof tops that we need a reliable test - and for want of a better word the vile behaviour I had to endure and still do from certain members of the alpaca industry - even I didn't think it would ever happen. So hard work does pay off and I have dedicated about 4 hours a day every day - 7 days a week since Sept 08 on TB in Alpacas. In a strange way I have to thank those who have vilified me and made my life a misery because every time they did it made me shout even louder and made me even more determined to get the message out there. I knew by forming the TB Support Group and collating the data that in the future I hoped a reliable test would be produced. Lets hope for all our
sakes it has.

I know this post is full of a lot of thank yous but we have a lot of people to thank. We all complain at the simplest thing but how often do we thank people. Ask yourself that.

Dianne Summers
TB Support Group
01209 822422
07949511316
summersdianne@yahoo.com


We all think that the biggest thank-you should actually go to Dianne Summers herself. None of this research, or the TB Roadshows, would have taken place without her tireless campaigning. None of us would know about the dangers of TB in camelids and would have entered our alpacas in shows this year completely ignorant of the risks involved. Dianne has enabled us to make informed choices and thus keep our animals safe and contain the spread of this infection. So thank you Dianne and keep up the good work.

TB Update

Dianne Summers of the Tb Support group has kindly given us permission to publish this TB update. The spread of TB in camelids is pretty shocking, particularly as this is not the full story. If you suspect that you have TB in your herd please contact Dianne on the telephone numbers on the bottom of her letter so that she can advise and help you.




Dear TB Support Group and TB Update Group and B.A.S. B.C.L.

PLEASE NOTE THIS DATA IS FROM 28 HERDS THAT ARE IN CONTACT WITH THE TB SUPPORT GROUP. 18 OF WHICH ARE CURRENTLY UNDER RESTRICTION AND A FURTHER 10 NOW OUT OF RESTRICTION.

THERE ARE OTHER HERDS UNDER RESTRICTION THAT ARE NOT IN TOUCH WITH THE TB
SUPPORT GROUP. I THEREFORE HAVE NO DATA ON THOSE.

Firstly, I am pleased to announce that my name and the TB Support Group is now added onto the AH/DEFRA letter of consent to test. The letter of consent is the document given to new herds that have the misfortune to come down to TB. A document they must sign when they agree to test. I am thankful to AH/DEFRA for this and proves not only that we are working together but also they recognise the TB Support Group as invaluable help for fellow camelid sufferers. This also puts paid to those that have classed the work I do as being scare mongering and hysteria. DEFRA/AH would hardly contemplate putting my name on such an important document if that was the case.

Up to Dec 31st 2009 those in contact with the TB support group lost 144
alpacas/llamas confirmed TB. This works out roughly 12 a month. From that 144 we had 12 skin test positives 7 of which were from one herd.

In the first 4 months of 2010 From 1st Jan - 30th April 2010 members in contact with the TB support group have lost:

94 alpacas

9 of which were skin test positives

48 were Rapid/Gamma blood test positives All of which passed the skin test.

37 sudden death or euthanized due to clinical signs

94 losses in 4 months = 23.5 per month so double the quarterly ratio of last year.

From this 94 only 9 were skin test positives.

Again this is only from data provided from herds in contact with the TB support group.

We all know the skin test isn't removing infected animals from the herds with the exception of a low number of skin test positives but the blood tests are. This is why the gamma interferon validation project on Tb free areas is vital and a very important update will follow shortly. Watch this space - but we have a lot to thank BAS Mike Birch for - for his constant hard work and the herds who have kindly offered up their alpacas for testing - the alpaca industry have an awful lot to thank you both for. Once/If validated we are well on our way to a reliable ante mortem test but this of course depends on the findings from the trials. Lets all keep our fingers crossed. It is working well on herds with breakdowns but it needs to work well on those not in a breakdown. We all know specificity v sensitivity and the importance of both.

DATA ON BLOOD TESTS

From Nov 2009 - March 31st the Gamma Interferon blood test has been used on 4 herds in the TB Support Group and has picked up 50 TB infected alpacas from 155 alpacas tested in just 4 months on 4 herds.

3 other herds in the TB support group have had both the rapid and gamma blood tests done on their entire herds in May so their data and results are not included in this update. However the Gamma is picking up far more infected animals than the rapid.

Lastly my heartfelt thanks go out to the kind members of the TB Support Group who have kindly submitted their data to me - not only on the numbers lost but also blood test results - side effects - watch group etc.
Thanks to them we have this data and thanks to them this data has driven the gamma validation project along. So thanks to them we are hopefully on our way to a reliable ante mortem test.

I hope you found this information useful - please feel free to post this
information on your websites or blogs.

Kindest regards

Dianne Summers
Camelid TB Support Group
01209 822422
07949511316

Suggestions to BAS

This is an excerpt taken from a letter sent in October 2009 to the BAS

As Alpaca owners we are very concerned at the explosive and devastating spread of BTB. We were all under the impression that alpacas were not very susceptible to TB, but we now know this to be a complete fallacy. They are in fact highly susceptible, more so than most other farmed animals.

Over the past few years, some isolated cases of BTB have been pushed under the carpet with no thought whatsoever for the future of the Alpaca industry. The situation is now out of control with cases occurring widely. This has been caused by the largely innocent cycle of showing, on-farm matings and general unrestricted movements. If something is not done immediately, we will no longer have an Alpaca industry. Our animals will be unsaleable, and will be treated with the same contempt as badgers, possible even facing complete eradication.

Due to the fact alpacas with BTB generally show few physical symptoms and the testing system (i.e skin tests) are as accurate as tossing a coin, nothing can be done until an accurate test is established for Camelids. At present the only accurate diagnosis is at post mortem, a trifle too late! …………..

It goes on to suggest that:

Serious consideration given to postponing Alpaca shows for the time being, until such time as animals can be accurately tested or vaccinated.

Breeders with affected herds should be encouraged to be more open with their BTB status and to be given help and support.

Breeders who knowingly have BTB in their herds and carry on business as usual should be excluded from the BAS.

Do you think that these suggestions would help to contain the spread of Tb in Alpacas?

Forms for Download

Here are the documents that all responsible breeders and owners must adhere to.

The self declaraion form must also be filled in when attending shows.

Avoid doing business or trading with anybody who refuses to comply with the BAS Code of Conduct or refuses to give a self-declaration form.

If you must attend an alpaca show then do not attend one that does not follow the BAS Show Guildelines.

All these have been put in place to protect you and your animals.

Just click on any of the words in red to download the required forms.

Without the help of the people who have unfortunately contracted Tb in their herds and that are in the TB Support Group and have given their valuable data we would not be in the position of being able to help protect our own herds and stop this disease from spreading, so the first thing that we need to do is send The TB Support Group and all its members our thanks. We are so grateful. It is only through their experiences, help and advice that we can help protect the health of our animals and the future of the alpaca industry.

TB - An Open Debate
Action Now = A Future For The Industry
Or
Nothing to worry about

We want you to let us know how the recent rapid increase in TB in alpacas breakdowns has affected the way you manage your herd.

Let us know your thoughts, the measures you are taking regards the TB situation here in the U.K.

Maybe you have changed nothing and don't see it as a problem.

Have you stopped showing or sending away females for mating - have you become a closed herd or are you carrying on as if nothing has happened?

Did you attend the recent BAS TB Awareness Meetings – if so has this influenced changes you have made.

Let us know by clicking on comments and telling us your views.
You can remain anonymous if you wish.