Jiglu: Farmtalking: Discussion: Potential for epidemic control

Originally from: Farmtalking

http://www.aasv.org/news/story.php?id=773

Interferon – Potential for Swine Epidemic Control
October 3, 2003 — Michael Meredith (ed. Harry Snelson)

The U.S. National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) passed a Resolution in July 2003 asking the Department of Homeland Security and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to fund research into alternatives to "depopulation" (mass slaughter and disposal of infected animals) which is currently the USDA's first planned response to an agro-terror attack with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus.

An article by Wes Ishmael in the July 2003 issue of Beef Magazine warned, "Easy accessibility and a weak response capability make livestock and agriculture the soft underbelly of Homeland Security."

According to US Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Jim Moseley, "The threat to agriculture is real. We can no longer have a vague sense of agricultural terrorism. And the time to prepare for it is before it happens, rather than after it does." Moseley's remarks have been supported by recent articles in The New York Times and Science magazine, as well as by Paul Williams of the National Animal Health Emergency Management System – quoted in Beef Magazine as stating that US troops searching al Qaeda camps in Afghanistan had found more than 200 documents detailing ways to carry out agro-terror attacks.

According to Richard McDonald, President and CEO of Texas Cattle Feeders Association, "New control methods must be found -- control methods that are cost-effective, can be quickly and efficiently administered to millions of animals and that will be accepted by the animal agriculture industry."

The USDA plans to institute vaccination once depopulation fails but there are 7 main serotypes of FMD virus and more than 60 subtypes. Dr. Joseph Cummins, President of Amarillo Biosciences Inc. says "It is important that the vaccine contain the same subtype of virus as is in the area. If terrorists use multiple serotypes of FMD virus in an attack, vaccination as a control measure will be quite difficult".

An alternative to depopulation proposed by Amarillo Biosciences involves adding human interferon alpha to livestock feed as a means of bolstering the animals' immune system and increasing their resistance to infection by FMD virus. USDA researchers at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center have already published data on the protective value of Adenovirus-expressed alpha interferon in swine challenged with FMD virus. The Plum Island researchers went on to suggest that "These strategies could also be used as a prophylactic treatment against other acute infectious viral diseases". Amarillo Biosciences is a pharmaceutical research firm with almost two decades of experience and 18 patents in the therapeutic use of oral interferon.

Originally from: Bill

They've got Paul Kitching accross the border in Canada so no wonder the Yanks are worried about FMD !

Bill.

Originally from: frances fish

Interferon has been put forward so many times as the answer to many diseases, not least, the common cold. When I was a student(very many years ago !) we went as volunteers to somewhere near Salisbury, I think . One of us should have got a cold and the other shouldn't. In the event neither of us did, we were told we were disgustingly healthy and got paid for the privilege and kept for the week. Would you regard Borax in this category, I wonder ? Can it be used longterm, does it boost the immune system? Would it protect against CSF in pigs ? Not that I have any, I just feel so sorry for them, they seem to be mown down with so many diseases. Then you read the conditions in which many are kept and is it any wonder ? A happy pig is probably a healthy pig . As usual, it will all come down to money, won't it ? A saying, often misquoted is that " money is the root of all evil ". In actual fact, I believe it is "the love of money is ". I wonder if a certain Mr Bush should mull that over a little in his quest to rid the world of terrorists ? Just WHO are the terrorists ? Frances

Originally from: Joyce

Glad to see the idea of improving animals' immune systems is gaining momentum.... not sure if yet more drugs is the way ahead though!
Joyce

... wrote:

http://www.aasv.org/news/story.php?id=773
Interferon – Potential for Swine Epidemic Control
October 3, 2003 Michael Meredith (ed. Harry Snelson)
The U.S. National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) passed a Resolution in July 2003 asking the Department of Homeland Security and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to fund research into alternatives to "depopulation" (mass slaughter and disposal of infected animals) which is currently the USDA's first planned response to an agro-terror attack with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus.
An article by Wes Ishmael in the July 2003 issue of Beef Magazine warned, "Easy accessibility and a weak response capability make livestock and agriculture the soft underbelly of Homeland Security."
According to US Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Jim Moseley, "The threat to agriculture is real. We can no longer have a vague sense of agricultural terrorism. And the time to prepare for it is before it happens, rather than after it does." Moseley's remarks have been supported by recent articles in The New York Times and Science magazine, as well as by Paul Williams of the National Animal Health Emergency Management System – quoted in Beef Magazine as stating that US troops searching al Qaeda camps in Afghanistan had found more than 200 documents detailing ways to carry out agro-terror attacks.
According to Richard McDonald, President and CEO of Texas Cattle Feeders Association, "New control methods must be found -- control methods that are cost-effective, can be quickly and efficiently administered to millions of animals and that will be accepted by the animal agriculture industry."
The USDA plans to institute vaccination once depopulation fails but there are 7 main serotypes of FMD virus and more than 60 subtypes. Dr. Joseph Cummins, President of Amarillo Biosciences Inc. says "It is important that the vaccine contain the same subtype of virus as is in the area. If terrorists use multiple serotypes of FMD virus in an attack, vaccination as a control measure will be quite difficult".
An alternative to depopulation proposed by Amarillo Biosciences involves adding human interferon alpha to livestock feed as a means of bolstering the animals' immune system and increasing their resistance to infection by FMD virus. USDA researchers at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center have already published data on the protective value of Adenovirus-expressed alpha interferon in swine challenged with FMD virus. The Plum Island researchers went on to suggest that "These strategies could also be used as a prophylactic treatment against other acute infectious viral diseases". Amarillo Biosciences is a pharmaceutical research firm with almost two decades of experience and 18 patents in the therapeutic use of oral interferon.
--
If you want to share pictures, use the calendar, or start a vote
visit http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/farmtalking
To leave the group, email: ...

Originally from: Farmtalking

Early in 2001 I was alerted to the use of Borax and made a few inquiries before publishing details concerning it's use and availability on Farmtalking.

I spoke to several people who had used it for years and thought it extremely beneficial for their stock. One farmer told me he always added it to his livestock's water in the Spring and Autumn each year. In Spring to boost lactation and in Autumn to prevent winter foot problems, both in cattle and sheep.

I know one local sheep farmer started to use it in 2001 in the hope that it would help to boost their stock's immune system and has told me since that foot problems in the flock seemed much reduced.

I'm sure Borax can be used longterm and can't see why it couldn't be added to pigs water supplies as well. I'm sure so much more notice should be taken of the benefits that can be obtained from natural products.

Which reminds me... I better be off and get my orange juice for breakfast and remember to make a watercress sandwhich at suppertime tonight!