Castleblayney College students conduct bird flu study
Three Monaghan students investigated Avian Influenza H5N1 transmission to dairy cattle and the potential implications for the Irish dairy herd.
Commonly known as the bird flu, the Castleblayney College exhibit received much attention from spectators at the RDS, where Rhiannon McMahon, Aoibhín McDonald and Zyon Muringayi were delighted to share their findings.
Their project entitled ‘Bird Flu, should we be worried or wing it?’ comprised of a survey of local farmers on their knowledge of the virus and a study on a hypothetical herd.
Their survey received over 80 responses, with results showing the biggest concern held by farmers regarding the infection was financial loss. Rhiannon explained the “majority” of participants were not aware that the flu could affect livestock other than poultry.
The main challenge identified by farmers was protecting cattle from the virus.
They simulated the spread of the infection among a hypothetical herd, where one cow was infected and the other 99 were susceptible.
They experimented with different transmission rates showing recovery rates of eight to 14 days, 30 days and over 100 days. The trials, which implemented biosecurity measures, showed a low infection rate with a higher number of cattle proving susceptible as opposed to infected.
“Biosecurity is one of the best strategies to prevent the spread,” Zyon reported.
Aoibhín described how biosecurity measures such as “sterilising the milking machines after an infected cow has actually used them” or “isolating sick animals” can be implemented to minimise the spread of the virus.
She said “vaccines actually aren’t sustainable for dairy cattle with this particular virus”.
“The Avian Influenza is a flu virus and the flu changes every year,” she said, adding that it would “not be sustainable” to manufacture a new vaccine every year for animals.
“The financial costs would be huge,” she said.
The Monaghan student described their study as “really significant”.
“No one else has ever actually done this survey, asking farmers about their awareness of H5N1, their concerns and their challenges.”
Aoibhín hails from a suckler and sheep farm in Castleblayney with three dairy farms located close to her home. They found an article on the Irish Farmers Journal on the Avian Influenza H5N1 and wanted to undertake a local survey and investigation.
Their efforts saw them achieve a Highly Commended award in the Biological and Ecological Science section of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition Awards on Friday evening.