Re-emergence of Bluetongue Triggers Fear
The Institute of Animal Health has warned that the re-emergence of the bluetongue virus in Northern Europe could increase the risk of the disease spreading to the United Kingdom this year.
The German National Reference Laboratory for Bluetongue reported that the virus has re-emerged on a German cattle farm which tested positive last year – triggering fears that the virus could have survived through the winter.
The UK is most at risk when there are easterly winds that could blow infected midges (insects that carry the disease) from continental Europe. As such, a close watch is being kept on both the disease situation and the meteorology and Defra is being updated daily.
B.C. Dairy Cow Confirmed to Have BSE
Mad cow disease has been confirmed in a dairy cow from lower mainland British Columbia. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said that no part of the 5 ½ year old cow entered the human food or animal feed systems.
The agency is also now seeking other animals from the same herd in an attempt to learn how the cow became infected. "The animals of interest are those born within one year of the (infected) animal," said George Luterbach, Senior Veterinarian for CFIA
It has been estimated, based on the animal's age and the average incubation period for BSE, that the animal was likely exposed to infected material during its first year of life.
U.S. Beef Shipment Approved for Import into South Korea
Soule has accepted the first shipment of American beef since 2003 for import and sale in South Korea. A statement issued by the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry reported that "after thorough quarantine and inspection, no problematic points were found, including bone fragments".
Although many South Korean beef farmers and activist groups still strongly oppose the import of U.S. beef, the Korean government has agreed to continue to allow U.S. beef imports that pass thorough inspections and reject only individual boxes containing problem beef instead of whole shipments.
Japan Allowed to Inspect U.S. Beef Plants
In an attempt to ease Japanese requirements on U.S. beef imports, an agreement to allow Japan to inspect American meat processing plants in was reached between U.S. agricultural secretary Mike Johans and Japanese counterpart Toshikatsu Matsuoka.
Japan has agreed that should no irregularities be found at the plants it will drop its protocol to inspect every box of imported U.S. beef.
"This is good for both Japan and the U.S." stated Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki. He further added "it is important that both countries continue to discuss the issue and deepen mutual understanding".
Risk of CJD Stops Anti-diabetes Islet Transplants
Islet transplant surgeries have been put on hold by the Edmonton Protocol program after news that the patients may have been at risk or infected by BSE.
Dr. James Shapiro, director of the transplant program, explained that the scare came after it was discovered that the "enzyme used to extract islet cells from donor pancreases was prepared using a solution containing cow brain tissue".
The chances are remote that any patients had been exposed to the prions doctors reported, however for safe measure the program has been put on hold until another enzyme can be located for use.
Biotech Companies Raise $27.9 Billion Dollars in 2006
Biotechnology companies raised over $27.9 billion dollars last year in investments and loans, the most since 2000 when $39.4 billion was raised following the release of the first draft of the Human Genome project.
"The huge long-term trend is that biotech is a better innovator" said Robert Nelsen of Arch Venture Partners.
Last year U.S. biotech companies led the way with $20.3 billion, followed by European companies who raised $5.9 billion.
India Possible Hub for Biotech Industry
A demand for affordable vaccines for diseases including tetanus, hepatitis and rabies has prompted growth in India's biotechnology industry.
The need for vaccines has Indian companies moving farther into research and has overseas drug makers predicting India as the future lower-cost hub for research and manufacturing.
"India will be a very large player in the global biotechnology economy," said Sarah E. Frew, a researcher at the University of Toronto, and investment in the industry may enable Indian companies to create billion dollar businesses out of biotech treatments.