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Diagnostics firm reports no COVID-19 cases in pets
The results align with current understanding that COVID-19 is primarily spread from human-to-human.
Study supports recommendation against testing pets for the virus

Veterinary diagnostics company IDEXX Laboratories has announced that it has seen no positive results in pets to date of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus strain responsible for the COVID-19 coronavirus.

The firm tested thousands of samples from cats and dogs during validation of a new veterinary test for the COVID-19 virus. The samples used for testing and validation were obtained from samples submitted to the IDEXX Laboratories for PCR testing.

Researchers say that their results align with current understanding that COVID-19 is primarily spread from human-to-human, and support the recommendation against testing pets for the COVID-19 virus.

Jay Mazelsky, president and chief executive officer of IDEXX Laboratories, said: “Should leading health authorities determine it is clinically relevant to test pets for the COVID-19 virus, IDEXX will be ready to make the IDEXX SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) RealPCR™ Test available.

“Pets are important members of our family, and we want to keep them healthy and safe. We will continue to monitor COVID-19 and pet health across our global IDEXX Reference Laboratories network as this situation evolves.”

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.