Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 2nd April 2012
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel
Contagious Equine Metritis case reported
AHVLA investigating case

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has reported a case of Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) in Gloucestershire after the routine pre-breeding testing of a 16-year-old Thoroughbred mare. The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) is currently investigating, and a second Thoroughbred mare on the same premises is currently also being tested as a precaution. Neither animal has displayed clinical signs of CEM thus far and there is currently no evidence to suggest that the disease has spread any further.

CEM is a notifiable venereal disease that can be treated with antibiotics. Transmission occurs sexually, although it can also be spread indirectly via, for example, contact with breeding equipment previously exposed to the disease. It is not zoonotic in nature, and routine testing before export limits implications for the international trade in horses. The last case in UK territory was reported in 2010.

More information about CEM can be found here. Furthermore, the Horseracing Betting Levy Board has worked with DEFRA to draw up Codes of Practice for the prevention of disease which may be found here.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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.