Dr Conny Turni has received funding under the International Science Linkages – Science Academies Program.

DEEDI Science Leader Dave Jordan, said Dr Turni was a recognised international expert in the diagnosis of Glässer’s disease, caused by the bacterium Haemophilus parasuis, which attacked the pig’s joints, lungs, heart and brain.

“Currently in Queensland, the annual cost for farms affected by the disease is approximately $24 000 per 500 sows, which represents a major economic impact on pig production,” Mr Jordan said.

“Dr Turni has been working on vaccines for Glässer’s disease in collaboration with the Pork CRC, and is looking at innovative techniques to produce live vaccines that can be adapted to each individual farm.

“These vaccines have the potential to immunise piglets against strains of the bacteria, which will hopefully save the pig industry millions of dollars.

“Glässer’s disease is also a major problem in Taiwan and Dr Turni’s research could have major ramifications for other Asian countries and around the world,” Mr Jordan said.

Dr Turni said her visit to Taiwan would enable her to conduct field trials at piggeries that had never been exposed to the bacteria, and if successful, could lead to a quicker and more cost effective way of producing vaccines against Glässer’s disease.

“These trials could ensure that vaccines could be commercially available at a much quicker rate, to control the various strains of the bacteria that cause the disease," Dr Turni said.

“It will also enable greater international collaboration between Australia and Taiwan, which could have further benefits across a range of agricultural industries.”

Dr Turni will be visiting Taiwan to complete her research trials in April next year.