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India urgently needs more vets, says report
Study indicates numbers need to double in 5 years

A report by the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), the Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI) the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and the University of Edinburgh has found that India needs to double its complement of veterinary professionals by 2017 to safeguard public health in the subcontinent and across South-East Asia in general. The present ratio is an average of one veterinary surgeon per 20,000 animals.

The report, entitled Strengthening the Veterinary Profession in India to Improve Food Security, warns that India is at significant risk of zoonotic disease outbreaks. Approximately 80% of India's population live in close contact with domesticated animals and many of India's 280 million cattle are famously allowed to roam freely in public streets. The World Health Organisation (WHO) also participated in the consultation, and has declared that the lack of veterinary epidemiologists in India is “extremely worrying” and “must be rectified” to prevent zoonotic epidemics like the recent outbreaks of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Avian Influenza.

The report calls for major investment from both the public and private sectors, with particular emphasis on pharmaceutical companies, and it is argued that vets should be provided with both the skills needed by Indian industry (such as food processing and pharmaceutical companies) and the equipment necessary for research. Radical overhaul of veterinary training in India is also advocated, with the Veterinary Council of India coordinating a single national standard of competence and a comprehensive CPD program. Partnerships with farmers, to allow for sharing up-to-date advice on animal husbandry and the dispensation of medicines, are also recommended.

"There are a number of important initiatives already under way, such as ICAR's national animal disease reporting system and the Indian Veterinary Education Project, led by the University of Edinburgh," said CABI's Head of Veterinary Market Development Robert Taylor.
"We hope this report will give new energy to national and international partnerships working to support the veterinary profession in India, and in south-east Asia as a whole."

The full report can be read 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. 

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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.