Occurrence: Worldwide

Age affected: Newborn, piglets pre-weaning

Photo: Anonmnŏse - Buret

 

Swine veterinarians created a new vaccine to help to battle diarrhoea associated with Clostridium perfringens, type A. The vaccine is available under a USDA conditional license for use in pigs.

The most important member of the clostridial genus causing signs in pigs is Clostridium perfringens. Besides necrotising enteritis in piglets and mild to moderate diarrhoea in post-weanning pigs, enterohemorrhagic syndrome (EHS) has been associated with clostridial infection. In about half of all EHS cases, C. perfringens can be isolated.

Scientists have found Clostridium difficile bacteria in a variety of ground and processed meats bought from stores in the US and Canada.

Schering-Plough Corporation has announced the successful closing of its previously announced transaction with Virbac, S.A. to divest animal health products from selected franchises. These divestments were requested by the European Commission as part of its October 2007 clearance of the acquisition of Organon BioSciences N.V.

The Biological Hazards Panel (BIOHAZ) of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was asked by the European Commission to deliver a scientific opinion on microbiological risk assessment in feeding stuffs for food-producing animals.