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.

Veterinary Advice to Protect You and Your Herd

Many of you will have heard of Dr Gina Bromage MA, VetMB, DVM, MRCVS through the BAS TB Awareness Meetings. She is highly respected in the camelid industry with over 10 years experience and also the author of ‘Llamas and Alpacas A Guide to Management.'


Gina’s advice in the current situation is:

“ Minimise infection with herd health practices. We can begin immediately.

Mixing of live animals for shows and matings has to stop until we have a reliable ante mortem test."

At no time has Gina said that there is an ‘acceptable’ risk in showing despite being quoted as such in some recent advertising for halter shows.

TB is a zoonotic disease, which means it is transmissible from animals to humans and vice versa. This is why it is a notifiable disease. The cure for humans is lengthy and they can carry and transmit the disease whilst displaying no noticeable symptoms. The main means of humans contracting the disease is inhaling close to the infected patient, and remember just how far they can spit. If you do want to cuddle and stroke your animals you need to be as sure as possible they are Tb free.

If any of your alpacas die they must be Post Mortemed as they may have been displaying no recognisable outward signs of TB even if they have it.

The best way to protect your animals is to manage a ‘closed herd’.

You Have TB in your Herd – WHAT'S NEXT?

Dianne Summers offers help and some practical advice on dealing with TB

As soon as you suffer your first loss to TB, your entire herd is at risk. 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 is infected.

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.

3. Ensure there is 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.

4.Foot dips must be used when entering and leaving this field. DEFRA recommends FAM 30 (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 the wheels down before entering other fields. The same applies to any tractors, etc, that have been in this field.

6.Clean water troughs daily. Make sure troughs are a minimum of 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 it before handling any of your other groups of animals.

10.Wear disposable gloves when handling this group, especially if you are handling the face/mouth area. Remember this is a zoonosis – it can pass to humans, so therefore keep children away and minimise the contact.

11.Try to feed in individual buckets and do not let animals go from bucket to bucket (see photograph). If you cannot do this due to the size of the group, allow plenty of feeding troughs and clean them 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 veterinary advice. Do not return this animal to the group until you are certain it does not have TB or it has recovered from the illness. Often they show very subtle signs – get to know your herd. Monitor weight – breathing – feeding habits – lethargy – coughing – stiffness in getting up and kushing 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, with this group as Animal Health/DEFRA may be in contact with them.

14.Animal Health/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 and get everything in writing.

15.Also Health Protection Agency (HPA) will contact you to discuss the risks to you and your family/staff and they may arrange X-rays and/or BCG skin tests 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 post-mortem it is strongly advisable that you request your first skin test is carried out as soon as possible rather than waiting 90 days. It is better to remove reactors as soon as possible. A lot can happen in 90 days.

17.You will need a small pen, approximately 4 feet wide by 5 feet deep or a crush. If you make a crush, ensure there is space for the Animal Health vet 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 it as you do when you carry out injections. However, if you can’t then you will need a crush, not only for your own safety but for that of your animals. You can ask your vet to sedate any animal you feel will be too difficult but you will have to pay for that. There are many homeopathy treatments that are very useful, eg, AAA/Valerian for stress – useful not only for your herd but for yourself.

18.You must isolate any reactors as it may take up to 10 days before Animal Health can arrange for removal. 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 2 mm measurement for a positive. 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 post mortem, 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. You 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. Speak to others in the Tb Support Group who have had blood tests done. The new Gamma Interferon is proving very promising indeed and is successful at helping remove infected alpacas from the herd. The Tb Support Group has data on both blood tests. Once again, get everything in writing

23.If your entire herd tests negative, do not think your herd is in the clear. A negative skin test does not mean your animals do not have TB. Continue to monitor as above.

24.If/when you become clear and restrictions are removed, it is highly recommended that you do not sell/show/move your herd anywhere for a minimum of 12 months because of the inaccuracy of the skin test and the risk of infecting other herds. Continue to use all the previous biosecurity measures throughout the quarantine period.

25.Finally – DO NOT go through this on your own. Contact Dianne Summers who not only has first hand 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 opinions 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 will need. Contact Dianne on 01209 822422 or 07949 511316. All data you provide will be treated as strictly private and confidential and will not even be passed on to the other members of the TB support group unless you are happy for this to be done. Dianne also has a direct line of communication with DEFRA/AH/VLA and can help with any problems you may be experiencing.