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

Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New form for online veterinary medicines retailers

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has produced a new online form for retailers wishing to sell veterinary medicines on the internet.

The form replace the previous Word version and is part of the VMD's ongoing commitment to digitise its processes. Anyone retailing prescription medicines online, including POM-V, POM-VPS and NFA-VPS categories, is lawfully required to register with the VMD before trading.

The change only applies to new applicants. Retailers already listed on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers or registered under the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS) do not need to do anything.