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African horse sickness strategy
Defra publishes control strategy for Great Britain

An African horse sickness (AHS) control strategy for Great Britain has been published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Health (Defra).

The strategy was developed by a working group, which was chaired by The Horse Trust and involved the equine industry, research organisations and Defra. It is to be updated as and when new information becomes available.

It is hoped that, with a strategy in place, suspect cases of AHS will be identified as quickly as possible, the source will also be identified, and it will minimise spread of the disease.

The document guides through The African Horse Sickness (England) Regulations 2012 and The African Horse Sickness (Scotland) Order 2012, stating that the Welsh Government intends to introduce similar legislation. The strategy also supports exotic disease contingency plans in all three nations.

Following events as they may progress, the strategy begins with a section on a heightened risk of AHS from another country, then suspicion of infection in Great Britain, followed by confirmation of disease in Great Britain.

It covers disease control strategies, restriction zones, and active surveillance, providing further guidance via links as and when possible.

Click here to view the strategy.

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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. 

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.