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Peste des petits ruminants outbreaks hit Greece and Romania
Both Greece and Romania have seen thousands of cases since July.
The risk to Great Britain is currently considered very low.

Greece and Romania are currently experiencing outbreaks of peste des petits ruminants (PPR), the first time the disease has been detected in the EU since 2018.

Greece reported its first case on 8 July and Romania on 15 July. As of 9 August, Greece has seen 47 outbreaks, totalling more than 2,000 cases, and Romania has reported 56 outbreaks, totalling over 5,000 cases.

Control measures have been implemented in both countries, including movement restrictions, increased surveillance, and preventative culling. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has established a PPR vaccine back to support vaccination efforts to control and eradicate the disease in the affected countries.

A viral infection, PPR affects sheep, goats, and some wild ungulates. It has mortality rates of up to 80 per cent. Transport of live infected animals is considered to be the main risk factor for its spread.

The disease is currently the focus of global eradication efforts. WOAH and The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations have set a target of 2030 for eradication.

There were outbreaks earlier this year in the Caucasus region, with both Turkey and Georgia affected. In recent years the virus has also been detected in various countries in the Middle East, including Egypt, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.

An outbreak assessment, published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 5 August, stated that the risk of the EU outbreak to Great Britain is considered very low.

The UK Office for SPS Trade Assurance has introduced a temporary suspension of imports of live sheep and goats, germplasm, raw milk and raw milk products, and untreated hides, skins, wool and hair from sheep and goats from Greece and Romania.

Image © Shutterstock

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Antibiotic Amnesty survey opens

News Story 1
 The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance - Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA - CA&E) has launched a survey which seeks to measure the success of this year's Antibiotic Amnesty campaign.

Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November. Practices are also asked how they engaged with clients to raise awareness of the issue.

Participating practices can enter a prize draw to win up to 100 in vouchers for taking part. Further prizes from BSAVA and Webinar Vet will be available for practices with the best input.

The survey takes a few minutes to complete and will be running throughout December. It can be accessed via this link. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue cases lead to restricted zone extension

Following the detection of new cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3), the restricted zone has been extended to include additional parts of Hampshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and North Yorkshire, as well as Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and part of Dorset.

The zone now covers 28 counties and unitary authorities in England. As of 16 December, 185 cases of BTV-3 have been confirmed in England and Wales during the current vector period.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Suspected cases must be reported on 03000 200 301 in England or 03003 038 268 in Wales. In Scotland, suspected cases should be reported to the local field services office. Suspected cases in Northern Ireland should be reported to the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or by contacting the local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.

A map of the area where movement restrictions apply can be found here.