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New genetic groups of FMDV discovered
Scientists say there could be more novel FMDV genotypes that remain un-sampled and should now be examined to help aid FMD control.
More novel genotypes could exist, Pirbright says

Scientists have discovered two new genetic groups of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV).

There are seven serotypes of FMDV, of which type O, A, SAT 1, SAT 2 and SAT 3 are currently circulating in Africa.

A research team from the Pirbright Institute studied the genetic material of FMDV samples from eastern and southern Africa. They found that while the newly discovered genotypes belong to the SAT serotype, they have distinct genetic traits that are not shared with other SAT viruses.

It is thought that the new virus groups may be representative of viruses that existed before the Great African Rinderpest Pandemic in 1887-1897, which caused a mass die-off of cattle and African buffalo.

This is likely to have caused the extinction of many FMDV strains that were circulating at the time, leaving only small ‘pockets’ of FMDV in isolated buffalo populations.

After the rinderpest pandemic ended, scientists speculate that serotypes O and A were re-introduced into Africa from other continents through livestock imports. Meanwhile SAT serotypes are thought to have re-emerged from the clusters of African buffalo that survived the pandemic.

Novel strains identified in the recent study are believed to contain genetic signatures of the FMD viruses that existed before the pandemic.

According to the research team, the study suggests there could be more novel FMDV genotypes that remain un-sampled and should now be examined to help aid FMD control.

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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.