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Avian flu confirmed in Nottinghamshire
Avian influenza H5N1 has been identified at a premises near Lowdham, Newark and Sherwood.
Protection and surveillance zones have been placed around the affected premises.

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza was confirmed over the weekend in Nottinghamshire, just days after the government relaxed the rules on keeping poultry indoors.

Avian influenza H5N1 was identified at a premises near Lowdham, Newark and Sherwood on Saturday (7 May). The APHA said that a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been placed around the premises.

The housing rule was implemented in November 2021 under the Avian Influenza Protection Zone (AIPZ) to help stop the spread of the disease. Under the order, bird keepers were required to keep their flocks indoors and follow strict biosecurity measures. 

Recently, however, Defra reduced the risk of poultry exposure to HPAI H5 in Great Britain from medium to low, 'where good biosecurity is applied'. The latest assessment suggests that the departure of migratory birds and the higher summer temperatures will reduce the level of the disease in the environment. 

The UK's chief veterianry officers (CVO) lifted the housing order on 2 May. However, biosecurity requirements introduced as part of the AIPZ remain in force and poultry gatherings are still banned. 

A joint statement from the CVOs reads: “Whilst the lifting of the mandatory housing measures will be welcome news to bird keepers, scrupulous biosecurity remains the most critical form of defence to help keep your birds safe.

“It is thanks to the hard work of all bird keepers and vets, who have played their part in keeping flocks safe this winter, that we are in a position to take this action. However, the recent cases of avian influenza show that it’s vital that bird keepers remain vigilant for signs of disease and maintain stringent standards of biosecurity."

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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.