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WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines Group names new chair
Dr Squires has been actively involved in the creation of the VGG's global guidelines.

Dr Richard Squires will head up the group’s work to promote best practice vaccination.

James Cook University Professor Richard Squires has been appointed chair of the WSAVA’s Vaccination Guidelines Group (VGG).

Dr Squires will head up the VGG team, providing evidence-based scientific advice to the global veterinary profession on best practice vaccination. He succeeds Emeritus Professor Michael Day, who chaired the VGG from 2009 until March 2020.

“Thanks to Michael Day’s exceptional leadership, VGG Guidelines are transforming vaccination practice and, in so doing, supporting the welfare of millions of companion animals around the world,” commented Dr Shane Ryan, WSAVA President. “We are delighted to welcome Richard to his new role of VGG Chair and look forward to working with him and the rest of the VGG team in the months ahead.”

A graduate of the University of Bristol, Dr Squires worked in general practice before undertaking postgraduate clinical training at the Universities of Cambridge and Pennsylvania and research training at Glasgow. He holds a PhD for research in which he sought a retroviral aetiology for canine lymphoma.

He held faculty positions at the Universities of Liverpool, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Massey University before joining James Cook University in 2007.  He is a Diplomate of both the American and European Colleges of Veterinary Internal Medicine and holds the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ Diploma in Veterinary Radiology.

Dr Squires has been actively involved in the creation of the VGG's Global Guidelines and its more recent Regional Guidelines. Commenting on his appoitnment, Dr Squires said:

“I am delighted and honoured to have been asked to continue Michael Day's outstanding work as Chair of the WSAVA VGG. I look forward to working with the WSAVA leadership, with VGG members and with our partner MSD Animal Health on the next phase of our work.”

Image (C) WSAVA.

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.