New vaccine for oedema in piglets
A new oedema vaccine has been developed and licensed for use on piglets in Switzerland. It is hoped to be approved in other European countries later this year.
The vaccine, named Ecoporc Shiga, provides a high level of immunity against shigatoxin, which is produced by E coli bacteria and causes oedema.
It is set to be marketed in Switzerland from April, with the European Medicines Association (EMA) expected to make a decision on whether the vaccine will be made available in other European countries later in 2013.
Oedema is a fatal disease primarily found in piglets during the first weeks after weaning. It is caused by an increase in shigatoxin caused by E coli – also known as verotoxin.
The infectious disease causes a high rate of mortality in pig production throughout the world. Up to 10 per cent of piglets can die in an individual herd as a result of oedema, with the heaviest being worst affected.
When the new Ecoporc Shiga vaccination comes in to force, piglets will be injected intramuscularly at four days old. A single 1ml dose is given to develop immunity over 21 days – thereby covering the piglet during the entire rearing and finishing phase.
Those piglets given the vaccine were found to have no mortality, compared with 11.4 per cent of those that had not been vaccinated, according to a study.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
