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H5N8: Wales to lift housing restriction
Pecking hens
The current zone requires all keepers of poultry and other captive birds to house their birds indoors.
Prevention zone will not be replaced, government says

The Welsh Government has announced it will not be replacing its avian influenza prevention zone after it expires on 30 April.

Introduced on 28 February, the current zone requires all keepers of poultry and other captive birds to house their birds indoors, or take steps to ensure they are kept separate from wild birds, and to enhance biosecurity.

Outbreaks of avian influenza H5N8 were confirmed across the UK between December 2016 and March this year, and prior to that, across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

However, the APHA's latest veterinary risk assessment suggests there remains a low to medium risk of resident wild waterfowl becoming infected. Meanwhile, the risk of exposure for poultry farms is low but heightened, and will depend on each farm's biosecurity measures. This level is consistent with that in November last year, when sporadic outbreaks and occasional wild bird findings were being reported across Europe.

A temporary ban on gatherings of some species of bird will remain whilst additional evidence is being considered.

Although the decision is welcome news, the chief veterinary officer for Wales, Christianne Glossop said bird keepers must remain alert for signs of the disease and contact their private vet if they have concerns. Any suspected avian influenza must be reported immediately to the APHA.

It is also essential for keepers to maintain effective biosecurity, for example through self assessment forms, cleansing and disinfecting all clothing, equipment and vehicles, and implementing suitable pest control measures to prevent contact between their birds and wildlife.

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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.