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Threat of bluetongue outbreaks set to increase - study
A combination of geographic location, weather conditions, and existing animal movement restrictions helped limit the impact of the 2007 bluetongue outbreak.
Researchers emphasise need for ‘ongoing culture of vigilance’

Scientists are calling on farmers to remain vigilant for bluetongue after a study found that the threat of future outbreaks is only set to increase.

Researchers from the University of Liverpool used a mathematical model to identify why the 2007 outbreak of bluetongue was smaller than it could have been. They also used the model to predict the future impact of the disease in northern Europe as global temperatures rise.

Their paper, published in Scientific Reports, indicates that a combination of geographic location, weather conditions, and existing animal movement restrictions helped limit the impact of the 2007 outbreak to 135 farms.

It notes that had the virus entered the UK in the west of England, then the outbreak would have been much larger. This is because the southeast - where the disease is believed to have entered - is an area of lower farm density and gave midges less opportunity to spread.

Likewise, the paper notes that had the outbreak occurred in a warmer year, then it would have been much larger. This “is something that is likely to occur more frequently in the future due to climate change”, said study author Dr Joanne Turner from the Institute of Infection and Global Health.

Furthermore, the paper indicates that the presence of animal movement restrictions - introduced for the 2007 foot-and-mouth outbreak - almost certainly helped to contain the bluetongue outbreak.

Another paper published in Nature Climate Change looked at the risk of bluetongue transmission under future climates. It found that by 2100, the disease risk will extend further north, the transmission season will last up to three months longer and outbreaks will be larger.

The researchers say that existing control measures should still be enough to prevent the largest outbreaks, but emphasise the need for an ongoing culture of vigilance.

“Bluetongue emerged in northern Europe in response to climate change, and has already affected tens of thousands of farms at a huge financial cost and caused the deaths of millions of animals,” warns study author Dr Anne Jones from the Department of Mathematical Sciences.

"Our results suggest that efficient detection and control measures to limit the spread of bluetongue and similar newly emerging vector-borne diseases will be increasingly vital in a future, warmer world.”

 

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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.