New oedema vaccine approved
The first one-shot vaccine against oedema disease in piglets has received European approval.
The vaccine - Ecoporc Shiga - has been developed by IDT Biologika, who are arranging its international distribution following the approval.
Dr Andreas Becker of IDT, said: "Ecoporc Shiga is now a real alternative to antibiotics and other measures to avoid the threat of outbreaks in nursery pigs."
The lethal disease is estimated to affect around 100 million piglets worldwide each year, and is caused by shigatoxin-producing escherichia coli. Fluid accumulates in the tissue of affected piglets, as the capillaries are destroyed.
The disease is responsible for serious economic losses to the pig industry, due to its high mortality rate. Up to 15 per cent of piglets - often the heaviest - can die within individual herds affected by the disease.
Comparative field studies have proven Ecoporc Shiga to reduce mortality rates from 11.4 per cent to 0 per cent. Piglets are vaccinated once at four days old, receiving immunity from weaning through the entire finishing phase.
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. 
