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EVAC webinar 2020 now available to view online
Colistin is a Gram-negative antibiotic widely used in pig and poultry medicine.

Speakers discuss colistin use and the impact of a potential ban

Recordings from the European Veterinary Antibiotics Conference (EVAC) 2020 are now available to view online.

This year's conference focused on the use of colistin and featured presentations from pharmacological, clinical and epidemiological specialists on the topic.

Speakers at EVAC 2020 discussed the use of colistin and the rising fears from veterinary professionals over a potential ban on the antibiotic. This ban could, according to the speakers, have a major negative impact on animal health and welfare – as well as public health.

Xavier Chatenet, a veterinary surgeon specialising in poultry health, spoke about the lack of alternatives to colistin for the group treatment of poultry. He argued that colistin is an essential veterinary product which, if banned, could lead to greater resistance problems with the alternatives.

Dr Pascal Richez, European specialist in veterinary pharmacology and toxicology, was next to speak. Focusing on misconceptions surrounding antibiotic resistance and the importance of clinical breakpoints to help clinicians determine if a pathogen is likely to respond to treatment.

The webinar concluded with a discussion of the use of colistin in human health care, led by Dr Boudewijn Catry, epidemiologist and head of the Belgian service for healthcare-associated infections & antimicrobial resistance. He confirmed that 'the need to be concerned for colistin resistance in public health care is very low’ adding that, in human medicine, many alternatives are coming on the market.

Highlights of the EVAC webinar can be viewed here.

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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.