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NI vets to investigate bTB hotspots
The work will centre on a small number of grids selected at random within each area.
Surveys to take place around Aghadowey and Omagh

Vets are to begin an investigation into two areas of Northern Ireland that are thought to be hotspots for bovine tuberculosis (bTB).

Chief veterinary officer for Northern Ireland, Mr Robert Huey, made the announcement as part of a series of measures designed to eradicate the disease from the country’s cattle population.

In a statement, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DEARA) said that it is planning to survey badgers for bTB infection in Aghadowey, Co Londonderry and Omagh.

‘These have been selected as they are areas having a high density of herds with bTB reactors and are also thought to have a high density of badgers,’ the statement reads. ‘The information gained will be used to help inform potential future wildlife intervention policies.’

The work will centre on a small number of grids selected at random within each area. As part of the investigation, DEARA staff will map badger sets, carry out blood tests and remove any badgers that test positive for bTB for further examination.

Mr Huey said that although DEARA has a comprehensive bTB Eradication Programme, disease incidence levels have recently shown a ‘sharp increase’.

“DAERA staff have continued to implement the bTB Programme to help tackle the disease. As a result of our robust bTB testing regime, working in partnership with farmers and private veterinary practitioners, around 90 per cent of our herds are free from bTB and able to engage in international trade,” he explained.

“However, in light of increasing bTB incidence over the past year, it is important that we continue to identify how we can improve the bTB Programme so that we can identify and remove infected animals at the earliest opportunity and take other actions needed to protect herds.”

Other measures, which will be rolled out in the coming weeks, include the introduction of a biosecurity self-assessment checklist and a reactor quality assurance pilot to establish baseline data on bTB skin test reactions.

DEARA will also be introducing a change that will see more herds that have more than one skin test reactor have their Officially Tuberculosis Free (OTF) status withdrawn. 

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.