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Update on Bluetongue vaccination
Regulation change for Bluetongue-free areas

Bluetongue laws have changed for England and Scotland, and are set to change for Wales, to allow the use of approved inactivated vaccines in Bluetongue-free areas, on the basis of Veterinary Risk Assessments.

In England, the Bluetongue (Amendment) Regulations 2012 came into effect last month (24 August) to permit the use of inactivated Bluetongue vaccines in Bluetongue-free areas. A General Licence has been issued to protect against Bluetongue serotypes 1, 2, 4 and 8.

Scotland's Bluetongue (Scotland) Order 2012 came into effect at the same time as England and permits inactivated Bluetongue vaccinations against all serotypes within Bluetongue-free areas.

Next week (10 October), the Bluetongue (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 will come into effect, permitting the use of inactivated Bluetongue vaccinations in Bluetongue-free areas against all serotypes.

The use of voluntary vaccination against Bluetongue remain illegal in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Regulations for live attenuated vaccines remain unaltered, and must not be used due to the risk of reversion to virulence and subsequent disease spread. Live attenuated vaccines do not have marketing authorisations for use in the UK.

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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.