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E coli O157 prevalence to be investigated
cows
Survey findings will inform the development of measures to reduce public health risk.
New survey aims to determine how widespread shedding is on British farms

Scientists have undertaken a survey to find out how widespread E coli O157 is among finishing cattle. It is hoped their findings will help with developing measures to reduce the risk of human infection.

Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) O157 can be passed from cattle to humans through contaminated food or contact with cattle or their environment. In addition, it can remain infective in soil for months.

The new survey, beginning this month, will run until December 2015. It is part of a project by the Roslin Institute to find out why some cattle shed large amounts of O157 in their faeces, and to come up with strategies to reduce the human health risk.

Writing in the Veterinary Record (Vol 175, No 8), Madeleine Henry, Sue Tongue and George Gunn from Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), say they aim to find out the number of British farms with finishing cattle on which at least one animal is shedding O157.

Staff from SRUC and ADAS will visit a random selection of farms in England, Scotland and Wales to collect faecal pat samples. A farm management questionnaire will also be completed.

The Scottish E. coli Reference Laboratory will identify the more common phage types among cattle isolates, and more these to isolates from human cases to assess the role of cattle in human infection. Findings will inform the development of measures to reduce public health risk.

Participation in the survey is voluntary and confidentially will be maintained.

For further information, see the Veterinary Record, August 30, 2014, Vol 175 No 8, or contact Madeleine Henry at vetepidemiology@sruc.ac.uk or 01463 246072.

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.