Merck Animal Health Highlights the Importance of Effectively Managing Pancreas Disease at PD TriNation 2014

Attendees Gain Valuable Information on the Benefits of Vaccination Programs  

TRONDHEIM, NORWAY, 3 February, 2014 – Merck Animal Health (known as MSD Animal Health outside the USA and Canada) today announced the company is a major sponsor of the 2014 PD TriNation meeting, the international initiative on fish health to be held in Trondheim, Norway 4-5 February. The PD Trination initiative was established in 2005 with the aims to integrate and focus the activities of academia and industry from Norway, Ireland, Scotland and more recently other salmon farming regions.

“Pancreas disease (PD) can be devastating to fish farms because it can spread quickly through the farm, resulting in significant loss of fish and revenue,” explains Johan Kvalheim, Managing Director, Norway, Merck Animal Health. “We understand the importance of keeping fish healthy and are proud to partner again with PD TriNation to bring important data and educational information to the market.”

In addition to the sponsorship, the company will host three presentations to highlight the importance of PD control. The presentations are scheduled for 5 February and are:

  • 09:50 Cross-neutralization studies with SAV subtype 1-6 strains: results with sera from experimental studies and natural infections: Analysis of a combination of experimental antisera and sera from field outbreaks caused by known SAV subtype isolates. Results that will be presented showed the antibodies produced in salmon against SAV isolate of one subtype also recognize and neutralize isolates belonging to other subtypes.
  • 14:00 Contribution from vaccination and genetics in PD control: A summary of results from an experimental study where the contribution from vaccination with multivalent vaccines with or without PD-specific antigens will be presented. Results from the study and their implications for PD control will be discussed.
  • 14:20 PD Monitor and differential diagnosis techniques for Pancreas Disease: PD Monitor is a four stage support program for the salmon producers in Scotland and Ireland. Audits of the vaccination process, pre-transfer checks, mid-production and harvest assessments are conducted to assess the efficacy of the vaccine. Results from the PD Monitor program will be presented and the range of diagnostic techniques available to the industry discussed.

Attendees who are interested in joining the lecture, can visit trination.org or contact their Merck Animal Health sales representative.

About Merck Animal Health
Today’s Merck is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada, is the global animal health business unit of Merck. Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest range of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.merck-animal-health.com.

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