Maedi Visna Program
Maedi-visna is a debilitating viral disease that can undermine the economic viability of a sheep flock. The name Maedi-Visna is an Icelandic description of the two major forms of the disease (Maedi=progressive pneumonia and Visna=wasting). Although it is ultimately fatal, most of the economic loss attributed to this disease is due to decreased milk production; lowered weaning weights; increased incidence of severe arthritis and wasting; higher than average number of respiratory infections; and decreased ewe fertility. In one study, it was found that 66% of healthy appearing, Maedi-Visna positive ewes had udder lesions and their lambs had lower than average weaning weights. The disease is common in many sheep producing countries, and 70% of flocks tested in Ontario in the late 1980's had at least one positive animal. There is no cure or treatment for the disease, however, there is a reliable blood test that can identify infected animals.
The Maedi-Visna Flock Status Pilot Project is a voluntary program administered by the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency, in conjunction with the University of Guelph and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
The goals of the program are:
- To identify and control the disease in participating flocks
- To establish the economic costs and benefits of eradicating the disease
Following is a brief description of the different levels of certification:
Level A: Whole flock has tested negative for
Maedi-Visna on three full flock and one partial flock tests, while following
requirements.
Level B: Whole flock has tested negative for
Maedi-Visna on two tests (~6 months apart), while following MVFSPP requirements.
Enrolled: Whole flock tested once for Maedi-Visna.
Monitored: Portion of flock tested for Maedi-Visna.
We have had our flock tested once, in late 2006, and tested negative. We plan to continue testing our flock regularly.