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Debilitating parasite finds new transition pathway in dogs
"Dogs are now the key impediment to eradicating this dreadful human disease" - Professor Robbie McDonald.
Dogs eating infected fish has slowed the process of eradicating Guinea worm disease. 

Researchers at the University of Exeter have discovered that the eradication of Guinea worm disease is being impeded by domestic dogs, who are harbouring the parasite by eating infected fish.

Guinea worm disease, usually caught by drinking water containing water fleas carrying the parasite larvae, causes disability and trauma in communities in Chad, Ethiopia, Mali and South Sudan. 

Once inside the body, the worms mate and grow, and after 10 to 14 months, an adult worm of around one metre in length emerges from the body to shed it's larvae back into the water.

Eradication programmes have been hugely successful, with human cases of Guinea worm cut from millions per year in the 1980s, to only 27 cases in 2020. 

However, new research published in Current Biology by researchers at the University of Exeter has revealed a new transmission pathway for the disease, dogs can eat fish which carry the parasite larvae, and maintain the parasite's life-cycle, making it possible for humans to continue to catch the disease. 

Professor Robbie McDonald, who led the study, said: “Dogs are now the key impediment to eradicating this dreadful human disease.

"Our work shows that fisheries, and the facilitation of dogs eating fish, are likely contributing to the persistence of Guinea worm in Chad.

"The challenge now is that this pathogen must be eliminated not only from people but also from animals.

"This is a clear example of where a 'One Health' approach to integrating health of people, animals and the environment is required to eradicate this debilitating human disease."

The paper, entitled "Seasonal fishery facilitates a novel transmission pathway in an emerging animal reservoir of Guinea worm” can be accessed here

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.