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H5N8 avian influenza detected in France
An outbreak of H5N8 bird flu has been detected on a duck farm in France.
Outbreak confirmed in the Tarn region of Almayrac

An outbreak of H5N8 bird flu has been detected on a duck farm in France, the French Ministry of Agriculture reports.

The outbreak was confirmed on 1 December 2016 by the ANSES national reference laboratory in the Tarn region of Almayrac.

The farm reported a high mortality of ducks, which resulted in sampling at the beginning of the week. Of the 5,000 ducks on the farm, 2,000 are believed to have died.

The Department of Population Protection of the Tarn immediately put in place a protection zone of 3km and a surveillance zone of 10km around the farm. The ducks of the infected holding will be slaughtered.

The preventative slaughter of animals will also be carried out on farms linked epidemiologically to the detected outbreak. Enhanced surveillance will be established around these farms.

In a statement, the Ministry of Agriculture called for vigilance - particularly by vets, breeders, hunters and owners of poultry farms.

“This requires, in particular, the unfailing application of biosecurity measures and to report any mortality of birds,” they write.

The same virus was detected for the first time in France on November 27 on wild ducks in the Pas-de-Calais. Many cases have also been reported in Europe in recent weeks on migratory birds but also in poultry breeding.

The ministry adds that the role of migratory birds appears predominant in the spread of this virus, which is particularly contagious in birds but is harmless to humans.

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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.