Microbial epidemiology of farmed livestock research group

Group lead: Professor Laura Green

Overview

The aim of our research is to improve the health and welfare of farmed livestock using epidemiological approaches in a multidisciplinary setting. We work with farmers and veterinarians to study disease on commercial farms using state of the art methodologies which include statistical and mathematical modelling, together with microbiology, welfare, behaviour sciences and social sciences. Our research has a direct impact in reducing disease and increasing welfare of farm animals.

If you are interested in an MSc or PhD in our group please contact l.e.green.1@bham.ac.uk

Current Projects

• Changing the education of young farmers and vets to facilitate uptake of evidence-based managements for healthy feet in sheep 
• The role of lambs, time and space in the persistence of Dichelobacter nodosus, the causal agent of footrot
• Endemic disease molecular epidemiology and modelling: is footrot a multi-strain infection?
• Epidemiological studies into the role of serogroup-specific vaccines to control footrot in sheep

Projects in conjunction with University of Warwick

• What really causes footrot in sheep: A national cohort study of the serological diversity of Dichelobacter nodosus in sheep in sickness and in health
• Persistence and transmission of intramammary pathogens causing acute mastitis: the role of chronic intramammary abscesses
• Improved understanding of the transmission of mastitis in ewes and strategies for its control
• Dichelobacter nodosus metapopulations and the epidemiology of footrot in an endemically infected flock