Hotspot sheep scab management: A community-based regional approach in England

Background: Ovine psoroptic mange (sheep scab), caused by an infestation of the mite Psoroptes ovis , leads to clinical disease, economic loss and severely compromised animal welfare. Here, a community‐based approach to the management of scab in three high‐risk areas of England is described. Methods: For each of the 254 farms included in the study, an initial survey of their clinical sheep scab history was followed up by a blood test (ELISA) to detect the presence of antibodies to P. ovis. This facilitated the coordination of treatment across groups of farms in each region. Blood testing was then repeated at the end of the treatment programme. Results: On the first blood test in 2021/2022, 25.6% (±5.5%) of the flocks were positive for sheep scab. On the second test in 2022/2023, 9% (±3.94%) of the flocks tested were positive, showing a highly statistically significant reduction in prevalence overall, but with strong regional variation. Limitations: generating an understanding of the flock‐level nature of the blood test and confidence in its detection of scab where clinical signs were not apparent provided ongoing challenges. Conclusions: The programme demonstrated that a focused community‐based approach can be used to significantly reduce the prevalence of sheep scab in high‐risk areas of England. The use of the blood test on all farms allowed the identification of subclinical sheep scab. The programme provides an effective model for sheep scab management on a national scale

Sheep scab:comparison of spatial and temporal patterns determined by clinical diagnosis or ELISA

BACKGROUND: Ovine psoroptic mange (sheep scab) is an infectious condition caused by an allergen-induced hypersensitivity response to the mite Psoroptes ovis. Infestation results in clinical disease, economic loss and welfare issues in many sheep-producing countries. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence and spatial pattern of sheep scab on contiguous farms, using both self-reported clinical outbreak history (2012–2020) and serological testing with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (2021/2022). METHODS: Farms included in the study were located in three regions of known high scab prevalence in North, Central and Southwest England. In total, 254 farms completed both a questionnaire, which provided the clinical scab history of the farm, and submitted results of serological testing with the ELISA. RESULTS: A scab outbreak was reported by 17.4% (± confidence interval [CI]: 4.6%; n = 48) of farms in 2020 based on clinical diagnosis; scab was diagnosed by the ELISA on 25.6% (± 5.5%; n = 65) of farms in 2021/2022. Comparison of self-reported clinical scab cases with the ELISA test results identified a group of farms (n = 52) that did not report scab in 2020, or in some cases did not report having scab over the previous 8 years (n = 20), but whose flocks were nevertheless seropositive in 2021/2022. CONCLUSION: A small number of flocks, particularly those using common grazings in North England, where handling is infrequent, often comprising less susceptible sheep breeds, may have persistent scab infestations that are generally undetected by clinical inspection. The data highlight the advantages of serological testing to identify exposure to scab in flocks where clinical signs are less easily detected. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text

Clinical forum: sheep scab control

No abstract available

Flock management and ectoparasite control in sheep Development of an ectoparasite risk assessment strategy for sheep farmers

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:7218. 474276(167) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Multisensory stimulation to improve functional performance in moderate to severe dementia - interim results

Dementia is a growing problem worldwide and interventions to effectively manage and promote function are urgently required. Multisensory Environments (MSEs) have been used to promote functional performance, however, no studies have been conducted to explore the efficacy of MSEs on functional performance in dementia. This RCT explores to what extent MSEs influence functional performance in people with moderate / severe dementia compared with a control activity.Thirty participants with moderate / severe dementia were recruited form the south of England. Following baseline assessment and design of a bespoke intervention, each participant attended their allocated intervention (3 x wk, for 4 weeks). Assessments were carried out pre and post-session using the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS). Results indicate significant improvement in functional performance in both the MSE and of the control activity. Findings support the use of MSEs as a strategy for enhancing functional performance in dementia. <br/