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Avian flu may be spreading between cattle in USA
Remnants of the virus have been found in samples of pasteurised milk.
Herds in eight states have tested positive for the virus.

The H5N1 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza may be spreading between cattle, the United States Department of Agriculture has warned.

Since March, the virus has been detected in cattle herds in eight states, including Texas and New Mexico in the south, North Carolina on the east coast, and Idaho in the west. Affected cattle have displayed clinical signs including decreased lactation, low appetite, lethargy, fever, and dehydration.

In a statement answering frequently asked questions, the department said that while it is believed that cattle first caught the virus from wild migratory birds, ‘the investigation to date also includes some cases where the virus spread was associated with cattle movements between herds.’

The department also said that there is evidence that in some cases the virus may have spread from dairy cattle premises into nearby poultry premises ‘through an unknown route’.

The United States Food and Drug Administration has revealed that remnants of the virus have been found in samples of pasteurised milk. However, it has said that there is not believed to be any risk to humans, stating:
To date, we have seen nothing that would change our assessment that the commercial milk supply is safe.’

Since the outbreak in cattle began, there has been one confirmed case in a human. A dairy worker in Texas who had been in contact with infected cattle tested positive and is recovering after being treated with an antiviral drug.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has said that it is closely monitoring the recent cases in cattle. In a statement, WOAH said: ‘Timely and transparent reporting is crucial to maintain a good understanding of the disease situation and prevent any type of misinformation or disinformation.’

Image © Shutterstock

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BEVA gives RVNs right to vote

News Story 1
 The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) is to allow its registered veterinary nurse (RVN) members the right to vote.

RVN members will now be able to take part in key decision-making processes and stand for BEVA council.

Marie Rippingale, chair of BEVA's Nurse Committee, said: "I am very proud to be a part of BEVA.

"This change will help to empower nurses to speak up and contribute, but more importantly, it will give them an opportunity to collaborate with other members of the equine veterinary profession to bring about change that is positive for all." 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Farmer survey to reveal on-farm impact of bluetongue

A nationwide survey has been launched to better understand how the bluetongue virus is affecting UK farms.

Results will inform the support that farmers receive for bluetongue, as well as preparing the livestock industry for the future.

The short online survey is open to all livestock farmers, regardless of whether they've had a confirmed case of bluetongue on their farm. It asks how many animals have been affected, the severity of their clinical signs and how it has impacted farm business.

The survey takes five minutes to complete and is fully anonymous.

It is led by Fiona Lovatt, of Flock Health Limited, and the Ruminant Health & Welfare bluetongue working group, in collaboration with AHDB and the University of Nottingham.

Dr Lovatt says: "We need to find out what level of clinical signs farmers are seeing in their animals, whether they are experiencing mortality with BTV-3 cases, and what their appetite is to vaccinate in future for bluetongue serotype 3."

The survey can be found here.