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Secure future for rinderpest virus
Steps taken to secure the virus

Following the worldwide eradication of the rinderpest disease last year, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) have taken steps to control storage of the virus.

The FAO and OIE have had a global moratorium passed, asking countries belonging to them to destroy their remaining stocks of rinderpest or, if approved by the organisations, to secure them in high-containment laboratories.

A limited number of samples must remain in order to produce vaccines and to conduct research that the organisations have approved. However, with more than 40 laboratories around the world storing samples of the virus, there would have been unnecessary risk of a future outbreak.

'Virus samples must be kept safely or otherwise they should be destroyed. We must remain vigilant so that rinderpest remains a disease of the past,' said Juan Lubroth, chief veterinary officer of the FAO.

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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.