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: 4th May 2018
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

Concerns over US rise in vector-borne diseases
Tick-borne diseases more than doubled from 2004-2016, accounting for more than 60 per cent of all reported vector-borne diseases.
CDC report says the country must be ‘better prepared’ 

Illnesses from mosquito, tick and flea bites have tripled in the US over a period of 13 years, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Scientists looked at data from national surveillance of 16 notifiable diseases from 2004 to 2016. There were more than 640,000 reported cases of disease as a result of bites from infected mosquitos, fleas and ticks.

Tick-borne diseases more than doubled during this time period, accounting for more than 60 per cent of all reported vector-borne diseases.

The most common tick-borne diseases in the final year of the study were Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis/anaplasmosis. Meanwhile, West Nile, dengue and zika accounted for the largest number of mosquito-borne disease. Despite being rare, plague was the most common disease arising from the bite of an infected flea.

Nine new infections spread by mosquitos or ticks were discovered or introduced to the US during this time.

CDC’s report said the US must be better prepared to face the growing public health threat posed by these diseases.

There are thought to be many reasons for the increase. Mosquitos, ticks and the infections they spread are rising in number and moving to new areas, while overseas travel and commerce are more common than ever before, meaning travellers can unwittingly import diseases such as Zika.

“The data show that we’re seeing a steady increase and spread of tick-borne diseases, and an accelerating trend of mosquito-borne diseases introduced from other parts of the world,” said Lyle Petersen, director of the Division of Vector-Borne Diseases in the CDC’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases.

“We need to support state and local health agencies responsible for detecting and responding to these diseases and controlling the mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas that spread them.”

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.