Researchers join forces to improve animal health in developing countries

Wildebeest carry a virus that infects
livestock causing major concern
for farmers.
Source: Sarah Cleaveland

A £13M research programme to tackle the significant and growing threat posed by livestock diseases to global food security and livelihoods in developing countries was launched in London yesterday (15 February).

Combating Infectious Diseases in Livestock for International Development (CIDLID) is a collaboration between three UKCDS members: the Biological and Biosciences Research Council (BBSRC), Department for International Development (DFID) and the Scottish Government.

A total of 16 research projects are being funded by the initiative, which aims to address some of the most prevalent, damaging and costly diseases of livestock in developing countries, such as Goat Plague, African swine fever and liver fluke.

Over the next four years, UK researchers will work with more than 20 overseas institutions across India, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, South Africa and Kenya to find sustainable solutions to animal disease threats and help to build scientific capacity in developing countries.

CIDLID follows the Sustainable Agriculture Research for International Development (SARID) programme jointly funded by DFID and BBSRC to support research into crop science and sustainable agriculture in developing countries.

CIDLID research projects

Development of vaccines against multiple diseases to save sheep and goats

Dip-stick test for 'Goat Plague'

Looking at midge control to tackle bluetongue virus

Reducing chicken disease in Ethiopian villages

Comparing foot and mouth disease in wildlife and livestock

Developing rapid tests to prevent pig deaths from African swine fever

Tackling wildebeest disease to save cattle

Looking at traditional healing methods for Ethiopian livestock

Controlling worms to increase production of sheep and goats

Developing a vaccine to control deadly liver fluke

Diagnosing and treating contagious bovine disease

Preventing East Coast fever with improved vaccine

Improving the quality of foot and mouth disease vaccines

Saving chickens by uncovering the genetic diversity of a killer parasite

Looking at ticks in the spread of lumpy skin disease virus

Using community based interventions to beat sleeping sickness