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Deadly fungus introduced via pet trade
Chinese fire bellied newt
Huge numbers of Asian salamanders and newts are traded globally.

Scientists discover a major threat to amphibians in Europe

The trade in exotic pets is now believed to be responsible for the introduction of a deadly fungal disease in Europe. Scientists warn the disease poses a major threat to salamanders and newts across Europe.

Last year scientists discovered the skin-eating fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans while trying to determine the cause of a crash in the population of fire salamanders in the Netherlands.

Now, the same team led by Ghent University and Imperial College London have published new research in the journal Science. It suggests the disease recently spread to Europe through the large numbers of amphibians traded globally.

Lead researcher An Martel from Ghent said: "Pathogens like B. salamandrivorans that are brought to a new environment can very rapidly threaten many species with extinction."

While B. salamandrivorans has only been found in Belgium and the Netherlands so far, scientists warn it will likely soon spread to other European countries.

Co-author Professor Matthew Fisher from Imperial College said: "This study has shown the threat of importing exotic species without appropriate screening for infectious diseases.

"B. salamandrivorans poses an extreme risk to European amphibian biodiversity and nations need to urgently consider appropriate biosecurity measures to stop the further spread of this, and other similar, emerging pathogens."

Huge numbers of Asian salamanders and newts are traded globally. For example, more than 2.3 million Chinese fire bellied newts were imported into the US between 2001 and 2009.

Scientists screened 5,000 amphibians from four continents, aiming to find out the level of threat posed to other species. They discovered the fungus can be transmitted easily between different salamander species through direct contact.

While the disease is highly dangerous for salamanders and newts, it is not harmful to frogs, toads and snake-like amphibians (caecilians).

Great crested newts, a protected species in the UK, are just one example of a species facing rapid death if infected with B. salamandrivorans.

The fungus is thought to originate from South-East Asia and may have been present in amphibians in Thailand, Vietnam and Japan as early as 1894.

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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.