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Emergency workshop prepares for flu pandemic
UK Chief Veterinary Officer Nigel Gibbens.
UK Chief Veterinary Officer Nigel Gibbens.

UK's Chief Veterinary Officer involved in Europe wide event

An emergency planning workshop looking at communication during situations such as an outbreak of pandemic flu, foot and mouth disease, rabies and ash dieback, is being held by Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) today.

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Nigel Gibbens will join scientist and policy makers from across the UK and Europe for the fourth annual workshop.

Today's event will look specifically at how modelling-based analysis and complex results are communicated to the public and across the industry during an emergency.

It will also address how evidence is brought together and how relationships can be built with emergency responders and decision makers in preparation for a rapid response when required.

Representatives from UK and European organisations including the AHVLA, The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Animal Health Trust, the University of Cambridge, Public Health England, The Met Office, The Pirbright Institute, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, are all due to speak at today's event.

Charlotte Cook, workshop organiser from AHVLA, said: “As mathematical modellers and policy makers commissioning modelling projects we face complex communications on a daily basis. These may cover relatively simple tasks, such as defining a problem, to the more complex, such as communicating final solutions and results.

“This workshop is aimed at addressing the central question of ‘How can we improve communications of modelling concepts during emergency situations?’ by looking at some of the different issues that arise during an emergency situation.”

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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.