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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 23rd December 2014
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Deadly PEDv reaches Europe
piglet
PEDv has killed more than 10 per cent of the US pig population in just two years.
Highly virulent strain could spread to the UK, British vet warns

A highly infectious strain of porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDv) has reached Europe. The National Pig Association (NPA) has warned it is "impossible to guarantee" that it will not arrive in Britain.

The Asian-American strain of the virus has been confirmed in the Ukraine, which borders the EU countries Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania. World-renowned British vet John Carr is now concerned that the virus could easily spread to the EU.

Dr Carr detected the virus in mid-Ukraine and sequencing has confirmed it is the Asian-American strain, not the European strain. In a matter of weeks, 30,000 piglets died on the commercial sow unit.

To protect the UK, Dr Carr is warning that no live pigs must be imported from countries with PEDv and all pig farmers must ensure their transport biosecurity routines are impeccable.

PEDv has killed more than 10 per cent of the US pig population in just two years - causing up to 100 per cent mortality. The Asian-American strain is so virulent that just a thimbleful of manure from an infected pig unit would be enough to infect the whole of the UK's pig population.

NPA says the virus could arrive on a traveller's shoes or clothes, or on the wheels of a vehicle, and all pig producers should consider themselves "personally responsible" for ensuring it does not arrive on their farm.

In particular, no pig lorries should be allowed onto the farm unless they have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected first.

Additionally, due to the high mortality rate of PEDv, Dr Carr says it is essential to be aware of the mental health impacts on farmers when a unit breaks down with the virus.

A contingency plan for England is due to be rolled out soon and government animal health laboratories are providing free testing of diarrhoea samples to ensure early detection of the disease should it arrive in the UK.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.