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WSAVA issues advice to combat disease risk confusion
Professor Micahel Day
Professor Michael Day, chair of the WSAVA's One Health Committee, during a visit to India.

Influenza outbreak in India is causing pet owners concern

The One Health Committee of The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has issued an advisory notice to help veterinary surgeons in India educate their clients about the risks of disease transmission between pets and humans.

The country is currently experiencing an upsurge in the occurrence of human pandemic A (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus A infection. Over 300,000 cases have been reported in the outbreak so far, with almost 2,000 people having lost their lives.

The outbreak is causing concern amongst many pet owners, who are starting to question whether it is possible to contract the infection from companion animals and whether they should give them up to protect their family.

The influenza virus originates from swine, which spreads to people and is now transmitted primarily through human-to-human contact. The cause of the concern stems from studies which have demonstrated that the virus can be transmitted to companion animals.

WSAVA say that some owners are worried about the risk to their pet should a human member of the household contract the virus, but many more are worrying that they might contract the virus from their pet.  However, evidence shows that humans are far more likely to catch the virus from an infected person than from an animals.

Professor Michael Day, chairman of the One Health Committee, said:  "Protecting human health is paramount but, in reality, the risk to people of being infected with the 2009 H1N1 virus by their pets is extremely small and not a case for relinquishing family pets.  On the contrary, we are concerned about the welfare consequences for thousands of animals if their owners turn them out inappropriately."

"We hope our Advisory Notice will be of value to veterinarians in India - and potentially in other countries too - by giving them the information they need to educate and reassure their clients effectively."

Image (C) WSAVA

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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.