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Poultry keepers urged to prepare for winter avian influenza
The UK is currently free of highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Chief vets issue joint statement on 'increasing risk of disease'.

The UK's four chief veterinary officers have issued a joint statement calling on poultry farmers to protect their flocks ahead of the winter to reduce the risk of disease.

Their advice, which forms part of the UK's winter avian influenza awareness campaign, includes maintaining high levels of biosecurity and practising good farm hygiene.

The statement reads: “Avian flu is a constant threat to all poultry, and with winter approaching there will be an increasing risk of disease making its way into the UK from migrating birds. It is therefore important that all keepers of poultry, including game birds and pet birds, act now to reduce the risk of transmission of avian flu to their flocks.”

The UK is currently free of highly pathogenic avian influenza. But with outbreaks of the disease in Kazakhstan and Russia, the risk of migratory birds spreading the disease to domestic poultry is increasing.

Among the steps that poultry keepers can take to protect their flock include placing birds’ feed and water in fully enclosed areas that are protected from wild birds, and removing any spilt feed regularly.  Poultry keepers are also advised to put fencing around outdoor areas where birds are allowed.

The statement continued: “Enhanced biosecurity should be maintained at all times, including regularly cleaning and disinfecting the area where you keep birds and separating them from wild birds wherever possible. Poultry keepers across the UK are urged to remain vigilant and alert APHA in Great Britain or DAERA in Northern Ireland as soon as possible if they suspect any signs of the disease.”

The UK has remained free of highly pathogenic avian influenza since September 2017. A low pathogenic H5N3 strain of the disease returned in December 2019 but was quickly met with government action.

Máire Burnett, chair of the UK Poultry Health & Welfare Group, said: “As migratory birds return to winter in the UK, there is a risk they could bring avian influenza and infect the domestic wild bird population. I urge all poultry and gamebird keepers to ensure they have robust biosecurity measures in place to reduce the risk of disease and protect bird health and welfare.”

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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.