Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 26th May 2017
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

bTB incidence falls by 35 per cent in Welsh IAA
Over 95 per cent of herds in Wales are now TB free.
New figures welcomed by the Welsh government

Bovine TB incidence in the intensive action area (IAA) of Wales has fallen by 35 per cent since it was established in 2010, according to a new report.

The IAA was established in North Pembrokeshire as an area where increased measures would be used to tackle the sources of bTB, including stricter cattle controls, improved biosecurity, badger vaccination and testing of all goats and camelids.

Although the approach had not been tried before, figures in the new report show the disease situation is improving more rapidly in the IAA than a nearby comparison area, where TB incidence fell by 23 per cent during the same time period.

The proportion of herds under restriction for bTB in the IAA also fell to 14.3 per cent, from 22.3 per cent in 2010.

Commenting on the report, Welsh cabinet secretary Lesley Griffiths said: “Today’s report is encouraging and shows, over time, all the measures used in the IAA have had a positive impact on the disease. This is further evidence our approach to reducing the incidence of TB is working, with numbers of new incidents now at their lowest in 12 years.”

Over 95 per cent of herds in Wales are now TB free and the proportion of herds with TB has reduced by over a quarter since 2008.

According to the government, the report also underlines the fact that a recent rise in cattle slaughtered due to TB in Wales is not down to a worsening of the disease situation. Instead, this is largely the result of increasing use of the more sensitive gamma interferon blood test and more severe interpretation of the skin test. For the most part the increase is only being seen in areas that carry out the most gamma testing.

Late last year, a consultation was held on the next steps for Wales’ eradication programme. Many of the responses, including a report from a National Assembly committee, agreed that a more regional approach is needed to build on the progress made and accelerate the process of becoming TB free.

Ms Griffiths said she will make a statement on the future of the eradication programme next month.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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.