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Deer Tb Control

MAF Invermay and Otago University researchers have joined forces to develop a vaccine against tuberculosis in deer, but say that it could take another ten years before such a vaccine is developed.

The two groups are working on developing the vaccine and breeding naturally resistant deer. University deer researchers will do the diagnostic work and study the animal's immune system, while MAF will undertake field trials.

It is known that certain animals develop immunity to tuberculosis, and the researchers are using the BCG vaccine used in humans to study why such immunity develops. Trials using the BCG vaccine have started, with infected animals providing information on the transmission of the disease and the various factors that affect its spread.

The complete removal of tuberculosis from New Zealand will only be possible with the biological control of possums, the main spreader of the infection, the researchers say. Dr Colin Mackintosh believes it will take five years of development and testing to check whether they have an effective vaccine and another five to ten years before vaccination or genetic resistance becomes a reality.

"Because the disease is very complicated, developing a vaccine isn't simple, and the chances of finding the right vaccine first off are very remote," he says.

Claire Grant, MAF Invermay