Operator safety during injection vaccination of fish.

Reports of adverse health effects to vaccinators after self-injection of fish vaccine motivated the present study which aimed at identifying risk factors and improving risk management. Information was collected through interviews with members of professional vaccinator teams, and with physicians who had treated injured vaccinators. In addition, a questionnaire was distributed among salmon farmers. Professional vaccinators reported from one to more than 50 stabs or self-injections during the vaccination season. Two cases of hospitalization due to anaphylactic reactions are described. Self-injections occurred exclusively on fingers and hands. The clinical picture is classified into four categories according to the type and severity of the reaction. The overall risk of self-injection leading to serious health effects was low, although the data do not allow a precise estimate. The collected information suggests that allergic hypersensitivity reactions occurred in two vaccinators, whereas increasing tolerance was reported from others. No information indicating infectious reactions was obtained, suggesting that non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs constitutes an appropriate therapy for self-injection events. The use of a safety bow attached to the syringe and improved training and awareness of personnel apparently have reduced the incidence of self-injection since this study was conducted. Health risks for vaccinators have further been reduced by equipping vaccinators with adrenaline and the improved knowledge of local doctors regarding recommended treatment.

[Health risks of vaccination of farmed fish]. / Helserisiko ved vaksinasjon av oppdrettsfisk.

In 1991, three cases of anaphylactoid reactions among vaccinators of farmed fish were registered in Norway. The reactions developed after repeated accidental self-injection of vaccine against salmon furunculosis. In 1991, some 60 million salmon were vaccinated against furunculosis at approximately 50 grams body weight. Following such self-injection of vaccine, inflammatory reactions are seen in the injected finger, also spreading occasionally to the hand. More seldom a "flu" like syndrome with fever, muscle aches, and general malaise is experienced probably caused by endotoxins in the vaccine. Devices to protect the fingers against accidental self-injection have been developed and, so far, the results are promising.

Controlling tick infestations and diseases in sheep by pour-on formulations of synthetic pyrethroids. A field study.

The use of synthetic pyrethroids in pour-on formulations reduced tick infestations and the incidence of tick-associated diseases in lambs more than dipping in organophosphate acaricides. Though the use of pyrethroids did not prevent the lambs from being infected with tick-borne fever (TBF), the incidence of lambs with lameness (tick pyaemia) or lambs suddenly found dead (Pasteurella haemolytica septicaemia), which often are seen in association with TBF, was reduced. The use of pyrethroids for three years did not seem to affect the prevalence of TBF.

Atrophic rhinitis in goats in Norway.

The spontaneous occurrence of atrophic rhinitis in 12 of 49 goat herds in one area of Norway is described. The clinical signs included nose bleeding, nasal discharge, sneezing and tender noses. Pathologically, the macroscopic and histological findings resembled those found in pigs with atrophic rhinitis. Bacteriological investigation of nasal swabs in five of the herds revealed toxigenic strains of Pasteurella multocida in three of them. In four of the herds the clinical signs were seen in two or more consecutive years. No specific source of the infection was discovered. Atrophic rhinitis was induced experimentally in kids by the nasal inoculation of toxigenic strains of P multocida and atrophic rhinitis toxin.

Influence of vitamin E and selenium supplement on antibody production in horses.

Fifteen horses used for serum production were maintained on low vitamin E and selenium diets. They were divided into four groups receiving: Group 1 no supplements, Group 2 vitamin E, Group 3 selenium and Group 4 both vitamin E and selenium. The humoral immune response to novel antigens, such as tetanus toxoid and equine influenza virus, was increased in groups receiving either vitamin E or selenium/vitamin E. No effects were recorded on the titres against Escherichia coli or the levels of immunoglobulin G.