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Vets urge action to reduce avian flu risk
As winter approaches, the risk of migratory wild birds infecting domestic poultry increases.

“We encourage keepers across the UK to implement strong biosecurity practices now" - UK's CVOs. 

The UK’s four chief veterinary officers have released a joint statement calling on poultry keepers to act now to reduce the risk of avian influenza this winter.

While the UK was recently declared free from avian flu, there have been 26 outbreaks in poultry and captive birds in the last year, and more than 300 outbreaks in wild birds. 

The joint statement reads: “Avian flu is a continued threat to all poultry keepers, and as winter approaches we need to be ready for the increased risk of disease that migrating birds pose to our flocks.

“We encourage keepers across the UK to implement strong biosecurity practices now, including regular shed maintenance checks, cleaning and disinfecting footwear and signing up for our email and text alerts. Making these tasks a regular fixture of your disease control plans now will make a significant difference in the fight against avian flu this winter and for years to come.”

With winter approaching, the risk of migratory wild birds infecting domestic poultry increases, making it critical for poultry farmers and bird keepers to improve biosecurity standards. 

To mitigate the impact of avian flu in the UK, vets are urging poultry keepers to regularly clean and disinfect any hard surfaces, keep chickens and turkey separate from ducks and geese, and contact regular maintenance checks on their sheds.
Other measures include drawing up contingency plans for storing bedding and dealing with pests and putting fencing around outdoor areas where birds are allowed.

British Hen Welfare Trust founder Jane Howorth also called on those that keep hens as pets to prepare for the winter months:

“For those of us that enjoy keeping a few pet hens in our gardens, now is the time to start gearing up to protect them during the migration season when avian flu becomes more of a threat,” she said.
“It’s no more taxing than having to book any other family pet in for an annual health check, but is so important both for the safety of your own birds as well as that of the national commercial flock.”

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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.