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New porcine virus reported in Ohio
Image pigs
Ten samples from four farms tested positive for a new virus.
Coronavirus distinct from deadly PED discovered

A new coronavirus has been detected in pigs from four swine farms in Ohio, the Department of Agriculture has confirmed.

Samples were taken from the farms after outbreaks of diarrhoea in sows and piglets in January and early February this year.

Clinical signs were said to be similar to those of porcine epidemic diarrhoea (PED) and transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) - both of which are caused by coronaviruses.

According to virologist Dr Yan Zhang from the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, all 10 samples taken tested positive for a new virus. Both PED and the new virus were detected in faecal samples from three of the farms.

Further testing showed the new virus is a deltacoronavirus, distinct from PED and TGE.

According to the Department of Agriculture in Ohio, the new virus, which has been named swine deltacoronavirus (SDVC) is closely related to a coronavirus detected in Hong Kong in 2012.

Health officials say SDVC poses no threat to food safety and cannot spread to humans or other species.

According to virologists, further investigation is needed to confirm the new virus is responsible for diarrhoea in pigs.

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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. 

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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.