Introduction

Liverfluke disease, or fasciolosis caused by Fasciola hepatica, causes annual losses estimated to be around €2.5 billion to livestock and food industries worldwide.

Its prevalence has increased up to 12-fold in EU Member States during recent years.

The current control of fasciolosis in livestock is based almost exclusively on the use of anthelmintic drugs, which can leave chemical residues in foodstuffs, and their extensive use has caused drug resistance to develop in recent years in Europe and other countries worldwide.

F hepatica also infects humans; it is estimated that 17 million people are exposed to the disease particularly in parts of South America, Africa and Asia where the disease is considered hyperendemic.

Fifteen partners from 10 countries, including seven EC countries and three INCO countries are participating in the DELIVER project; five subcontractors are also involved. It is funded with €3.54 million by the European Community (Priority 5 of the 6th FP) for period of 36 months.The DELIVER project aims to develop new methods for controlling liver fluke disease in livestock to minimise the use of anthelmintic drugs.

The project will use epidemiological techniques to determine risk factors and predictive models for fasciolosis; it will study the mechanisms of drug action and the development of resistance; and it will evaluate the immunomodulatory impact of fasciolosis and develop protective vaccines in cattle, sheep and goats.

Achieving these aims will have the following long-term socio-economic impacts:

1) Improved quality and safety of meat and dairy products which will enhance the health of the people of Europe, whilst boosting competitiveness of the food industry in Europe.

2) A reduced need for routine drug treatment to maintain healthy, disease-free animals in highly endemic areas of Europe and INCO countries.