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New technology may prevent repeat Ebola crisis
Micrdscope
Rapid testing of patients and fast genetic analysis of viruses could help experts to handle emergency situations more effectively as they unfold.
Study highlights need to adopt latest monitoring techniques

New technology could enable a better response to infectious disease outbreaks like Ebola in the future, a study by the University of Edinburgh has found.

The research, published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, highlights failings in the response to Ebola and the need to adopt state-of-the-art techniques to detect and monitor potential infectious disease outbreaks anywhere in the world.

Experts say that the Ebola crisis has emphasised the need to strengthen global surveillance and enhance the capability to react appropriately to further outbreaks.

This should include making use of modern technologies for detecting disease, sharing information in real time and analysing data.

"We cannot afford to wait for the next outbreak of infectious disease before putting effective systems in place to safeguard public health," said Professor Mark Woolhouse, of the University of Edinburgh's Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution.

"Global surveillance would be costly, but in our highly connected world, early detection and rapid action against outbreaks are to everyone's benefit," he adds.

The researchers found that technological advances such as rapid testing of patients and fast genetic analysis of viruses could help experts to handle emergency situations more effectively as they unfold, therefore saving more lives.

They say that such tools are already available and should be brought into public health planning around the world to combat future disease outbreaks.

Professor Paul Kellam, group leader of virus genomics at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, said: "Real-time analysis of virus genomes such as Ebola is an important addition to our toolkit for investigating disease outbreaks.

"When combined with the date and location of the sample, we can determine how the virus spreads. These technologies can improve the management of an outbreak, thereby saving lives."

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FIVP announces third series of Practice Matters

News Story 1
 The Federation of Independent Veterinary practices (FIVP) has announced a third season of its podcast, Practice Matters.

Hosted by Ian Wolstenholme, series three will focus on the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation, including a discussion about some of the expected impacts on independent veterinary colleagues.

Episode one launches on 13th January with guests Drs David Reader and Scott Summers, who will draw on their research into the CMA investigation and provide insights into themes such as transparency, pricing and consumer trust.

Ian Wolstenholme said: "In its third series, we will try and hone in on what the changes will mean in reality for independent practices with advice and guidance on implementation and delivery, drawing on the experience of our own team and other experts in the profession. Hope you can join us soon!" 

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News Shorts
Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk