Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 11th December 2013
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Netherlands puppies 'not infected with rabies'

False positive confirmed after further testing

Further tests have indicated two puppies confirmed to have rabies in the Netherlands in October, were not in fact infected with the disease.

After the puppies were imported into the country from Bulgaria on October 5, initial immunofluorescence tests (IFT) carried out at the National Reference Laboratory came back positive.

However, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing proved inconclusive, while virus isolation tests were negative.

As a result, the BSAVA has announced that samples were sent to the European Rabies Reference Laboratory (AFSSA) in France for retesting by IFT, PCR and rabies tissue culture infection. All test results came back negative.

Following this, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) concluded that the original IFT  was a false positive, confirming the puppies rabies negative.

The reported case of rabies back in October sparked concerns among the veterinary profession that abuse of pet travel legislation could have harmful consequences.

Following the announcement, BVA president Robin Hargreaves urged the government to review current enforcement of the Pet Travel Scheme to ensure measures in place are sufficient to protect the UK's rabies-free status.

A rabies warning was issued in France last month after an infected kitten was found in Argenteuil, near Paris. Earlier on in the year, Spanish authorities also activated their rabies contingency plan after a dog carrying the disease was euthanised in Toledo, central Spain.

Related News
Rabies confirmed in the Netherlands
Rabies case confirmed in France

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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.