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Bluetongue restricted zone extended
Bluetongue is a notifiable disease.
Nottinghamshire and parts of Leicestershire and Northamptonshire have been added.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has extended the restricted zone after new cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) were detected along the border of the zone.

The newly expanded zone now includes Nottinghamshire, part of Leicestershire and part of Northamptonshire.

The zone already included the East Riding of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Greater London, Kent, Surrey, East Sussex, West Sussex, and part of Hampshire.

Within the restricted zone, susceptible animals can only be moved if it is essential. A specific licence is needed to move a susceptible animal from within the restricted zone to outside of the zone.

On 6 October, four cases of BTV-3 were confirmed affecting two premises in Essex, one in Norfolk and one in Suffolk. The previous day saw one case in Norfolk and one in Suffolk.

The virus was also detected outside the restricted zone in two sheep in Yorkshire and one bovine in Cornwall on 5 October. The animals had been moved from different premises in Suffolk before the restricted zone was put in place.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Suspected cases must be reported on 03000 200 301 in England or 03003 038 268 in Wales. In Scotland, suspected cases should be reported to the local field services office. In Northern Ireland, suspected cases should be reported to the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or by contacting the local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.

A map of the areas where restrictions apply can be found here.

Image © Shutterstock

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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. 

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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.