ECO Animal Health’s mycoplasma treatment approved with zero day egg withdrawal in the EU
August 9, 2016
Aivlosin® Water Soluble Granules, the mycoplasma treatment from ECO Animal Health, has been granted a zero day egg withdrawal time by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
The product treats Mycoplasmosis (Mycoplasma gallisepticum – Mg) – which typically causes chronic respiratory disease in chickens. Aivlosin® is mixed into the animals’ drinking water and acts quickly to concentrate at the site of infection, achieving peak plasma levels within two hours – rapidly attacking the disease.
Global Marketing Director at ECO Animal Health, Marc Coulier, says the new zero day egg withdrawal label claim means it can now be used to treat commercial laying hens, producing eggs for human consumption, so producers can continue to sell their eggs, while their birds are being medicated.
Mycoplasma infections may affect nearly 70% of commercial layer flocks globally, according to published reports. The infections are primarily transmitted horizontally and can also spread vertically, causing respiratory signs and weight retardation within the flock, which in turn delays and reduces egg production. Birds on multi-age farms and on free-range farms are of particular risk.
“Birds exposed to and diagnosed for mycoplasma infections require rapid intervention to limit egg production losses and the effects on the animal’s health,” says Mr Coulier. “Water medication provides critical treatment for a flock of birds and can reduce additional losses and is aligned to the responsible use of antimicrobials.”
Aivlosin® contains tylvalosin, a novel generation antimicrobial which is rapidly absorbed and concentrated in target tissue. As well as efficacy in poultry, it also treats mycoplasmal pneumonia, swine dysentery and Ileitis (Porcine Proliferative Enteropathy) in swine.
A trial conducted by ECO Animal Health in commercial layers treated with the licensed treatment dose of Aivlosin® showed no effect on the average daily egg production or egg quality, unlike other products.
Mr Coulier says: “Mycoplasma infections often go unreported and the slow development of the disease makes it challenging to spot at early onset, with clinical signs and economic losses only experienced once flocks have reached the threshold of infection.” He adds that producers should ensure that their layer hen breeding conditions are of a good standard, regular diagnostic testing is done and that bird weights, egg production curves and feed consumption are closely monitored.
The EMA approval of Aivlosin® Water Soluble Granules gives veterinarians an effective and safe option for treating mycoplasma in commercial layers, without the burden of long withdrawal periods which could result in economic losses. Aivlosin® is now available to veterinarians and layer producers by prescription.
® Aivlosin is a registered trademark from ECO Animal Health Ltd., London, United Kingdom.
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Notes to editor:
For further press information please contact Mike Keeler or Nic Daley on +44 (0)20 8647 4467.
ECO/023/16
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