Vet Science researcher wins Victorian prize to study new ways for chickens to take their medicine
October 2006
Investigating innovative ways to administer a new vaccine to chickens has won Dr Joanne Devlin, Researcher with the Faculty of Veterinary Science at the University of Melbourne, a state prize at the 2006 Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Dr Devlin received $10,000 to complete a project of long-term benefit to Australia’s agriculture, fisheries, forestry, food or natural resource management industries.
Dr Devlin received her award from the Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Peter McGauran, at a ceremony in Parliament House, Canberra.
Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) is a significant disease of chickens both domestically and globally and was first recognised in Australian poultry in 1935. Outbreaks can have severe effects, with mortality rates of up to 80%. Even in less severe cases, the disease can have significant consequences due to large drops in egg production.
Dr Joanne Devlin has developed a new vaccine for ILT, which appears to have advantages over existing treatments in terms of reduction in illness in birds following vaccination. However, to date the vaccine has only been administered directly into the trachea of birds.
"This is not a practical vaccination method for large poultry farms. The work I am about to undertake will investigate the feasibility of various methods of administering the vaccine in large scale farms,” Dr Devlin says.
“These methods include via eyedrops, in the drinking water and by aerosol spray.”
The benefits of effective control of ILT include economic benefit to the industry and benefits to the welfare of commercial chickens.
“As a veterinarian I am particularly interested in improving animal production systems and animal welfare. This project is an opportunity to undertake research that has many potential benefits for both the poultry industry and the welfare of commercial chickens,” Dr Devlin says.The award encourages the continued growth and development of rural industries by providing national recognition to a group of Australia’s leading young innovators. The awards are supported by the Australian Government and 11 rural Research and Development Corporation (RDCs) including major sponsor Grains RDC.
For a full list of this year’s winners, and details of their projects, visit: www.daff.gov.au/scienceawards