Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Concerns over US rise in vector-borne diseases
Tick-borne diseases more than doubled from 2004-2016, accounting for more than 60 per cent of all reported vector-borne diseases.
CDC report says the country must be ‘better prepared’ 

Illnesses from mosquito, tick and flea bites have tripled in the US over a period of 13 years, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Scientists looked at data from national surveillance of 16 notifiable diseases from 2004 to 2016. There were more than 640,000 reported cases of disease as a result of bites from infected mosquitos, fleas and ticks.

Tick-borne diseases more than doubled during this time period, accounting for more than 60 per cent of all reported vector-borne diseases.

The most common tick-borne diseases in the final year of the study were Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis/anaplasmosis. Meanwhile, West Nile, dengue and zika accounted for the largest number of mosquito-borne disease. Despite being rare, plague was the most common disease arising from the bite of an infected flea.

Nine new infections spread by mosquitos or ticks were discovered or introduced to the US during this time.

CDC’s report said the US must be better prepared to face the growing public health threat posed by these diseases.

There are thought to be many reasons for the increase. Mosquitos, ticks and the infections they spread are rising in number and moving to new areas, while overseas travel and commerce are more common than ever before, meaning travellers can unwittingly import diseases such as Zika.

“The data show that we’re seeing a steady increase and spread of tick-borne diseases, and an accelerating trend of mosquito-borne diseases introduced from other parts of the world,” said Lyle Petersen, director of the Division of Vector-Borne Diseases in the CDC’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases.

“We need to support state and local health agencies responsible for detecting and responding to these diseases and controlling the mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas that spread them.”

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

RUMA CA&E extends survey deadline

News Story 1
 RUMA CA&E has extended the deadline for its online survey into vaccine availability.

Vets, SQPs, retailers and wholesalers will now have until Friday, 26 September at 5pm to submit their response.

The survey aims to further understanding into the vaccine supply challenges faced by the sector. It will also consider the short and long term impacts of disruption issues.

Insights are anonymous, and will be shared with industry stakeholders and government bodies.

The survey can be accessed here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA publishes Guide to Nutrition in Small Animal Practice

The BSAVA has added a small animal nutrition advice booklet to its series of BSAVA guides.

The BSAVA Guide to Nutrition in Small Animal Practice offers a resource for veterinary professionals to provide appropriate nutrition for animals. As well as maintaining the wellbeing of healthy pets, the guide explores how nutritional requirements change in times of illness and disease.

The guide is divided into five sections, which explore the importance of nutritional assessment; diet types; feeding at different life stages; feeding for specific situations; and feeding for specific diseases. Online resources are also in the BSAVA Library including client handouts and videos.

It is designed to be suitable for referencing, in-depth case planning and team training sessions.

The BSAVA Guide to Nutrition in Small Animal Practice can be purchased online from the BSAVA store.