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Chief vet removes foot-and-mouth disease control zone
The symptoms of swine vesicular disease can be confused with foot and mouth disease.
Officials declare a new temporary control zone for swine vesicular disease.

A temporary disease control zone has been removed after tests for a suspected case of foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) returned negative. 

The 10km control zone was placed around a premises near Feltwell, Kings Lynn, on Thursday (June 23) following suspicion of vesicular disease in pigs.

In its latest update, Defra said: “Following official testing at the UK national reference laboratory, the UK Chief Veterinary Officer has negated suspicion of foot and mouth disease in pigs at a premises Near Feltwell, Kings Lynn and West Norfolk, Norfolk. The 10 km Temporary Control Zone (foot and mouth disease) has been revoked.

“Suspicion of vesicular disease in pigs remains and a new Temporary Control Zone (Swine vesicular disease) has been declared.”

According to Defra, the symptoms of swine vesicular disease can be confused with foot and mouth disease. The main sign is blisters, appearing at the top of hooves, between the toes and occasionally on the snout, tongue and lips. Other signs include lameness, loss of appetite and fever.

Swine vesicular disease is spread by contact with infected pigs or body fluids, pigs eating infectious meat, or contact with anything contaminated with the virus. Pig keepers are urged to practise good biosecurity on their premises and to report any suspected cases to the APHA.

The condition does not affect humans, although there have been some isolated cases of accidental infection of laboratory personnel working with the virus. The last UK outbreak occurred in 1982.

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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. 

Click here for more...
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.