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Rabies confirmed in the Netherlands
Robin Hargreaves, BVA president

Cases are "deeply worrying", says BVA president

Reports that rabies has been confirmed in two puppies imported from Bulgaria to the Netherlands have been termed "deeply worrying" by BVA president Robin Hargreaves.

Since changes to the Pet Travel Scheme in January 2012 increased the mobility of pets around Europe, there has been some concern that this could lead to a rise in disease incidence.

Commenting on the recent news from the Netherlands, Mr Hargreaves said this "must be a wake-up call to UK authorities to ensure that enforcement of pet movements into the UK remains a priority."

He added: "We have been raising concerns with the Government that the changes in legislation last year had significant unintended consequences in boosting the number of puppies and kittens coming to the UK for sale.
 
"Although the pet travel scheme is not intended to cover commercial movements, the fact that animals can enter the UK at a younger age has meant that people are abusing the legislation for this purpose with potentially grave consequences.
 
"The Government must review current enforcement of the legislation and be certain that we have the right measures in place to protect the UK's rabies-free status.
 
"The news from the Netherlands should also be a serious wake-up call to potential pet owners who must always ask about the animal's background and ask to see it with its mother.

For further information, see the report from Dr Christianne Bruschke, chief veterinary offer for the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality in the Netherlands.


www.oie.int/wahis_2/public/wahid.php/Reviewreport/Review?page_refer=MapFullEventReport&reportid=14271
 

Image courtesy of BVA

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Antibiotic Amnesty survey opens

News Story 1
 The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance - Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA - CA&E) has launched a survey which seeks to measure the success of this year's Antibiotic Amnesty campaign.

Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November. Practices are also asked how they engaged with clients to raise awareness of the issue.

Participating practices can enter a prize draw to win up to 100 in vouchers for taking part. Further prizes from BSAVA and Webinar Vet will be available for practices with the best input.

The survey takes a few minutes to complete and will be running throughout December. It can be accessed via this link

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.