PROJECT BACKGROUND

Liver fluke can cause serious health problems and production losses in sheep and cattle, and can also infect humans. We are developing a new diagnostic test for liver fluke which we hope will be more sensitive than existing tests and could be used for rapid pen-side testing. To develop and validate our new test we need sheep and cattle poo samples.

WHO CAN TAKE PART

Anyone in the UK who has sheep and/or cattle can take part in the study. We are particularly interested in samples from farms with a history of fluke infection.

WHAT IS INVOLVED

We will ask you to collect fresh poo samples produced by young cattle/sheep from pasture or housing and send them to us at the University of Surrey Vet School. We will provide you with containers for sample collection and stamped addressed boxes for safe postage of the samples. We will also ask you to provide some information about the animals producing the samples.

WHATWE WILL DO

We will test the poo samples in our laboratory for liver fluke. Positive samples will be used to develop a new diagnostic method for these parasites.

BENEFITS TO YOU

We will let you know whether samples are positive for liver fluke. We can also conduct faecal worm egg counts on the samples if you wish.

CONFIDENTIALITY

All personal details and information related to your premises will be held in complete confidence and handled in accordance with General Data Protection Regulations (2018).

GET INVOLVED

If you would like to take part or for further information, please contact: Dr Martha Betson, Senior Lecturer, m.betson@surrey.ac.uk; 01483 689821 Study ref: FHMS 21-22 110 EGA, NASPA2122-04