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New portable tests for diagnosing FMD
“... the biggest hurdle to overcome when tackling FMD is getting a quick and accurate diagnosis of which serotype is present"
Test can identify serotypes in the field

Pirbright scientists have developed two portable tests for diagnosing foot-and-mouth disease in the field - one of which can identify serotypes.

Scientists from the Pirbright Institute took the tests to Tanzania, Ethiopia and Kenya to confirm their effectiveness in the field. One is able to diagnose the presence of FMD, while the other can differentiate between the four serotypes that are prevalent in Africa.

There are seven types of FMDV, each of which requires a separate vaccine. Accurate diagnostics are essential to ensure the current vaccine is administered to protect against the serotype circulating in any particular area. However, until recently, field tests were only able to confirm whether or not the virus was present in a sample.

Lead researcher Dr Veronica Fowler said: “We know that the biggest hurdle to overcome when tackling FMD is getting a quick and accurate diagnosis of which serotype is present. The main issue is that many countries currently battling FMD outbreaks do not have labs with the facilities or expertise to test for the virus.

“This is why we have taken a lab test and reformatted it to suit the field. We simplified the reagents into pellets, so that users need only add water and the sample, which can then be placed in a mobile PCR machine. The machine can then identify any of the four FMD serotypes present in Africa.”

The diagnostics kit is battery powered and can process eight samples at once. The pellets for the test do not need to be refrigerated, which saves on transportation costs and maintenance. Additionally, Pirbright says the kit is so simple to use, it does not need a highly trained person to use it.

According to the institute, the diagnostics are as sensitive as the equivalent techniques used in the lab, and they can test epithelial, serum, mouth or throat fluid samples from animals. Using the test, animals can be diagnosed with FMDV, even if they are not displaying clinical signs. 

Rolf Rauh from Tetracore, which developed the kits with Pirbright, said: “Rapid and accurate point-of-care field identification of FMD and its subtype are essential for mounting effective control efforts to stop animal movement before the virus has an opportunity to spread further.”

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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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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.