UCD experts in €3.59m search for fluke vaccine

IRISH scientists have received funding of more than €400,000 from the European Commission, and are working to develop a liver fluke vaccine.

The UCD researchers are part of a consortium working to develop new, environmentally-friendly methods to control liver fluke disease.

Queen’s University Belfast, the Agri-food and Biosciences Institute in Northern Ireland, and partners across Europe and in South America are also involved, in a project which has overall funding of €3.59 million.

Currently, pesticides and anti-parasitic drugs are used against liver fluke disease. However, they are becoming ineffective and undesirable, because the fluke develops resistance, and the use of pesticides causes environmental and foodstuff residue concerns.

UCD scientists will also seek to improve methods of forecasting fluke disease. A dedicated website and online educational material will allow interested farmers and others in the agri-food industry to track project progress.