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African swine fever reaches China
The UK’s National Pig Association said the outbreak is ‘significant’, as China is home to more than half the global population of pigs.
Source of the outbreak currently unknown

An outbreak of African swine fever has been reported in China for the first time, authorities say.

Over 8,000 pigs have been killed and disposed of at the site of the outbreak in Shenyang, Liaoning, and a 3km epidemic zone around it.

A strict blockade, disinfection and movement controls are currently in place and epidemiological investigations were carried out in the whole Liaoning province. No new cases were found, out of 1.88 million live pigs screened.

The outbreak was reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), by Dr Zhang Zhongqui, director general at China’s Animal Disease Control Centre. The source of the outbreak is not yet known.

Responding to the news, the UK’s National Pig Association said the outbreak is ‘significant’, as China is home to more than half the global population of pigs.

Cases of African swine fever continue to be reported in wild boar and domestic pigs in Eastern Europe and western Eurasia.

The risk to the UK’s pig sector is considered to be ‘low’, according to the APHA’s latest assessment in June. However, a new assessment is expected in light of the latest outbreak in China, which will determine whether the risk level is raised.

Pig keepers and the public are urged to adhere to the swill feeding ban by not giving catering waste, kitchen scraps or pork products to pigs. Keepers should also ensure that visitors to their premises have not had recent contact with the affected regions and anyone returning from these areas should avoid contact with domestic pigs or areas with feral pigs or wild boar.

Suspect cases of ASF must be reported promptly.  

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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.