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Avian flu identified in Wales
"This is further evidence of the need for all keepers of poultry and captive birds to ensure they have the very highest levels of biosecurity in place" - CVO Christianne Glossop.
Wild birds believed to be the likely source of the outbreak.

Avian influenza H5N1 has been confirmed in poultry and wild birds at a premises in Wrexham County Borough, Wales.

The Welsh government confirmed that temporary control zones have been imposed around the infected poultry premises. An investigation is now underway, but dead wild birds found in the area have tested positive for the virus and are believed to be the source of the outbreak. 

Avian flu has not been identified in Wales since January when the H5N8 strain of the virus was confirmed in pheasants on Anglesey. The announcement comes less than a week after avian flu was confirmed at a wild bird rescue centre in Worcestershire.

Bird keepers are being encouraged to stay vigilant for signs of the disease and to seek prompt advice from their veterinary surgeon if they have any concerns about the health of their animals. 

Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, Christianne Glossop, said: “Avian Influenza has been found in poultry and wild birds in the Wrexham area. This is further evidence of the need for all keepers of poultry and captive birds to ensure they have the very highest levels of biosecurity in place.

“Public Health Wales has said the risk to the health of the public from Avian Influenza is very low and the Food Standards Agency has made clear it does not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers.”

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RCVS Knowledge appoints Veterinary Evidence editor-in-chief

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has welcomed Professor Peter Cockcroft as editor-in-chief for Veterinary Evidence.

A world-renowned expert in evidence-based veterinary medicine, Prof Cockcroft will lead the strategic development and editorial quality of the open-access journal. He was previously in the role from 2017-2020.

Katie Mantell, CEO of RCVS Knowledge, said: "We are excited about the extensive knowledge of evidence-based veterinary medicine and clinical veterinary research that Peter brings, and we look forward to working with him over this next phase of the journal's development." 

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News Shorts
Defra to host bluetongue webinar for vets

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will be hosting a webinar for veterinary professional on bluetongue on Thursday, 25 April 2024.

Topics covered will include the transmission cycle, pathology and pathogenesis, clinical signs (including signs seen in recent BTV-3 cases in the Netherlands), and control and prevention.

The session, which will take place from 6pm to 7.30pm, is part of Defra's 'Plan, Prevent and Protect' webinar series, which are hosted by policy officials, epidemiologists and veterinary professionals from Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency. The bluetongue session will also feature insights from experts from The Pirbright Institute.

Those attending will have the opportunity to ask questions. Places on the webinar can be booked online.