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Aujeszky’s disease identified in southern France
Pigs are the natural host for Aujeszky’s disease.

Disease confirmed in five domestic pigs

A disease that is fatal in piglets less than seven days old has been confirmed in southern France, with wild boar believed to be the source of the outbreak.

Reporting on its website, the National Pig Association (NPA) said two outbreaks of Aujeszky’s disease have been identified in domestic pigs in Saint Martin les Eaux and Monteux.

The disease, also known as pseudorabies, was confirmed in five animals, and more than 800 pigs are considered to be ‘susceptible’ across the two units.

An update from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) notes that the ‘source of the first outbreak seems to be in contact with wild boars'. It adds that ‘the second farm is epidemiologically linked to the first outbreak’ through the purchase of fattening pork.

To control the spread of the disease, various control measures have been applied, including movement controls, increased surveillance and tracking of animals that may be affected. The NPA adds that the slaughter of potentially infected animals and zoning are ‘to be applied’.

Pigs are the natural host for Aujeszky’s disease, although it can also affect pigs, sheep, cattle, dogs, cats and rats. The virus is fatal in piglets under seven days old, but mortality rates decline as pigs get older.

Until the 1960s, Aujeszky’s disease had not existed widely outside Eastern Europe, but by 1989 had been confirmed in 43 countries.

The disease was first recorded in the UK in 1979 and the last in 1989, which resulted in 1,373 animals being slaughtered. The UK was declared free of the virus in 1991. 

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.