New science group to tackle M. bovis

A science advisory group has been formed to strengthen current efforts to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis), and met for the first time on July 31.

Mycoplasma bovis can cause serious conditions in cattle — including mastitis that doesn’t respond to treatment, pneumonia, arthritis and lateterm abortions.

The disease may cause no symptoms in an animal.

But in times of stress such as calving, drying-off, transporting or being exposed to extreme weather the animal may shed bacteria in milk and nasal secretions.

Other animals may be infected and become ill or carriers themselves.

The disease does not pose a health risk for humans.

The bacteria is an Unwanted Organism under the Biosecurity Act 1993.

The disease is still not widespread — there are 37 confirmed infected farms — and there is just one strain of the disease here.

Members of the newly-formed M. bovis Strategic Science Advisory Group will provide high-level strategic scientific advice to the Mycoplasma bovis Governance Group.

Science continues to be critical to the M. bovis response, and the advisory group will be a valuable resource to enable current science activities to be scaled up and expanded, says Roger Smith, head of Biosecurity New Zealand and chair of the Mycoplasma bovis Governance Group.

“The advisory group will ensure we have on-going access to some of the best minds and knowledge relating to M. bovis, which will bolster the eradication effort,” he said.

The advisory group includes a range of expertise from New Zealand and internationally.

They will contribute their knowledge on a range of science matters, including identifying any critical knowledge gaps and ways to address them.

This will include considering emerging technologies and ideas that may help eradicate M. bovis, prioritisation of M. bovis research efforts, coordination of current and future science initiatives relating to the disease and learning from other research programmes in New Zealand and internationally.

It will also provide assurance that M. bovis eradication research efforts remain fit for purpose.

“The members of the advisory group understand this is an unsettling time for many farmers and are moving quickly,” says Dr John Roche, who is chair of the advisory group, and the Ministry for Primary Industries’ departmental science adviser.

“They held their second meeting this week to start the development of their detailed work plan to shape the long-term science strategy,” he said.

“The group has already identified some key priorities for immediate work, and will hold a workshop in September to get wider input into developing the broader science plan,” says Dr Roche.

“Scientific research is a vital part of our efforts to eradicate M. bovis,” says Mr Smith.

■ The first case of M. Bovis has been confirmed in the Tasman region.

Biosecurity New Zealand said this week a property near Motueka, in the Tasman district, had tested positive for the bacterial cattle disease.