TORONTO - An Ontario pharmaceutical company says its new E. coli vaccine for cattle has been approved by federal regulators.
Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. (TSX:BNC) calls the vaccine the first of its kind in Canada and says it will reduce the spread of the deadly O157:H7 strain.
That's the same strain linked to an outbreak at a Harvey's restaurant in North Bay, Ont., and, in 2000, the Walkerton water tragedy that claimed seven lives.
Dr. Brett Finlay, whose research led to the development of the vaccine, says vaccinating cattle will decrease the instances of E. coli and in turn reduce the risk to humans.
He added that although cows carry the E. coli strain, they don't get sick.
People become ill when they encounter contaminated food or water that has come in contact with cattle feces.
Finlay says by vaccinating cows, the chance of humans contracting E. coli will be greatly reduced.
