Sheep Connect TasmaniaOvine Johne’s Disease and safe vaccination – September 2011

Workshop collaborators

– TIAR — Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research.– PASS — Proactive Agricultural Safety and Support.– DPIPWE — Department of Primary Industries Parks Water and

Environment.– Tas Quality Meats, Pfizer, TP Jones, Roberts Ltd, Elders

Contents

• Ovine Johne’s Disease (OJD) — a snapshot• Effective vaccination• Safe vaccinating techniques• Needle stick injury (NSI) — management guidelines• Contacts and further information

Ovine Johne’s DiseaseA snapshot

Ovine Johne’s Disease (OJD)

– What is it?– How do you sheep get it?– How is it spread?– How do you test for it?– How do you manage it?

Is OJD affecting your bottom line?(affected carcase second from left)

What is OJD?

• Caused by Mycobacterium paratuberculosis (Mbpt)• A chronic wasting disease • Intestines unable to absorb nutrients• Infected sheep may take 3–6 years to show any signs

More information on disease can be found at:www.ojd.com.au

How do your sheep get OJD?

1. faecal-oral route (contaminated pasture)2. contact with infected sheep3. other susceptible animals (deer, rabbits, goats)4. lots of other minor ways

The disease is spread by:

Infected sheep shed 10 1212

/day but only 106-96-9

needed to infect A small contamination goes a long way

The spread of OJD in Tasmania

How do you test for OJD?

• Faecal tests — lab test• PCR (polymerase chain reaction) —

lab test• Autopsy• Abattoir surveillance

How do you manage OJD?

Vaccination (Gudair)• the earlier, the better• strategic flock vaccination

Biosecurity• restrict stock movement• stringent stock hygiene

Animal Health Statements• reduce risk by buying sheep of the same or

higher point score

The impact of vaccination on flock mortality

Vaccination with Gudair — the facts

Gudair is a KILLED vaccine in a mineral oil base (adjuvant) Gudair DOES NOT cause or spread OJD Vaccinating with Gudair WILL NOT CURE infected animals Efficacy is greatest if vaccination occurs BEFORE EXPOSURE Gudair is a one-off vaccination — 1ml dose, NO BOOSTER Vaccination = less shedding, less impact, less deaths

Vaccinating is a key management tool BUT 100% immunity

The keys to successful vaccinating with Gudair

Use only as directedMaintain cleanliness of vaccinating equipmentStore vaccine properly

• 2–8oC, do not freeze, return to fridge ASAPCheck expiry date (valid for 12 months maximum)

Read all label directions and the MSDS

Effective vaccination — marking vs weaning

• Lamb marking — the considerationsTags are already going inGreater animal restraint is available than in a race

BUT — additional pressure on operators (multiple tasks)

• Weaning — the considerations Already vaccinating (5 in 1 booster) Less pressure on operators (fewer tasks)

BUT — weaners can be hard to restrain in a race

For disease management — the earlier the betterEvery sheep enterprise should work with their local Sheep MAP veterinarian to develop a tailored vaccination program for OJD

Vaccination — a practical guideEquipment, techniques and safety

Vaccinating guns — the best optionShrouded needles minimise operator riskMatch needles to gunsLook for ease of use by operator

(size, weight, comfort in hand)

Needles — size DOES matter!

18 gauge for most injections 6 or 12 mm* for GudairBigger needles cause more tissue damage and

carcase contamination*Note: shrouded guns may require a 12 mm needle as only half the needle

protrudes past the shroud during injection. Match the needle to the gun and use the shortest appropriate needle.

Smallest gauge and length possible — Gudair is a subcutaneous injection — it is given under the skin

Needles — change them regularly

Blunt needles:Damage tissueCause bruisingIncrease contamination and infection

Sharp needles:Easier to injectLess carcase damageLess contamination and infection

Subcutaneous vs intramuscular

Subcutaneous — under the skin Intramuscular — into the muscle

OJD is a SUBCUTANEOUS injection only

(the reaction is a small lump NOT a long-term large lesion)

An example of poor vaccination technique

Long needle — into muscle NOT under skin

Poor angle (into bone) Poor siting (possibly too high

and into bone)

However — vaccine will still have been effective

Possible causes of an excessive reaction:

Vaccination site — maximum efficacy, minimum damage

Reduces potential carcase damageAny reactions drain down below ear — high

injections tend to drain leading to:• Shoulder downgrade• Possible lameness, paralysis, neck mobility

Between jaw and ear (about 2–4 cm below ear) AWAY from major blood vessels and bones

Safe vaccination techniquesOne-handed technique

One-handed technique Pack race tight Approach from behind Inject between jaw and

ear (2-4cm below the ear) Keep needle

perpendicular to skin Avoid skin ‘tenting’ Keep other hand free for

balance or support Keep vaccine bottle and

tube away from sheep

A recipe for disaster

Poor animal restraint Too many operators Too many hands Poor injection siting Skin ‘tenting’ Needle at wrong angle

to skin

Vaccinating checklist

Well maintained, calibrated equipment (1ml dose) Sterilise all equipment with boiling water Make sure vaccine is ‘in date’ Have on-site storage (esky, cold packs etc) Consumables (guns, needles, holsters/strapping/backpacks, sharps

container, spare parts— O rings/tubing, pliers for changing needles) First aid kit (disinfectant, detergent, eyewash, MSDS,

accident procedure)

Before you vaccinate run through the following checklist:

Needlestick injury (NSI) action plan

Unbroken skin: Wash thoroughly with soap and water Skin is broken (existing wound or needle scratch) Wash thoroughly with soap and water Apply antiseptic solution Seek help if the area becomes inflamed, sore, swollen or redSelf injection: Contact doctor immediately and get to surgery/hospital Take vaccine package and MSDS to doctor

If an injury occurs, act immediately:

Gudair — MSDS Section 4

Manual handling — protecting your back and knees

When picking up lambs Bend knees and hips DO NOT bend back Use two hands to grasp

lambs Avoid twisting spine by

picking up straight in front and moving feet to place lambs in cradle

Look up and lunge

Local case studyYouTube clip on local needle stick incident (next slide)

Contacts and further informationOne-stop-shop for OJD and safe vaccination

DPIPWE veterinarians:Bruce Jackson — DPIPWET: 0407 872 520Rowena Bell — DPIPWET: 0488 198 500

Sheep MAP veterinariansKim Barrett — Kings Meadows John O’Dell (Flinders Island)T: 0411 242 979 T: 6359 2148Sue Van Es (Rocky Cape) Chris Donaldson (Westbury)E: dawsonsd@hotmail.com T: 6393 1286Eileem Wroski (Huonville) Paul Nilon (Longford)T: 6264 2328 T: 0419 395 867Ron Harris (Scottsdale)T: 0419 522 996

GP and SurgeonDr Merle Gray — GP Campbell TownT: (03) 6336 1133Dr Gary Kode* — Plastic and reconstructive surgeon, LauncestonT: (03) 6334 9313Dr Stephen Salerno* — Plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Essendon

*These surgeons have had surgical experience with Category 3 and/or 4 needlestick injuries involving Gudair

Animal welfare and vendor declarationsLyndon IlesT: 0419 569 708 E: lyndon.iles@dpipwe.tas.gov.au

Tas Quality Meats (abattoir surveillance)Chris CockerT: 0488 736 487

Pfizer Animal Health (Gudair)Phil Jarvie, Key account manager TasmaniaT: 0418 557 211 E: phil.jarvie@pfizer.com.au W: www.pfizer.com.au

Proactive Agricultural Support and Safety (PASS)Anne Taylor, ChairT: 0414 839 833 E: info@pass.org.au W: www.pass.org.au

Further readingwww.ojd.com.auwww.tiar.tas.edu.au/extensive/sheepconnect/sheep-health/ovine-johnes-disease

Sheep Connect TasmaniaAndrew BaileyT: 0408 129 373 E: andrew.bailey@utas.edu.au

Catriona NichollsT: 0427 571 199 E: cat.nicholls@utas.edu.au W: www.tiar.tas.edu.au/extensive/sheepconnect