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Avian influenza prevention zone extended
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Under the prevention zone, keepers in England are required to keep birds indoors or take practical steps to keep them separate from wild birds.

Birds required to be housed until 28 February
 
The UK’s chief veterinary officer has extended the avian influenza prevention zone which requires poultry and other captive birds to be housed indoors.

Originally set to end on 6 January, the requirement has been extended until 28 February to help protect birds from avian influenza.

The H5N8 strain of avian influenza has been circulating in Europe for a number of weeks. An outbreak was detected at a turkey farm in Lincolnshire on 16 December, and in a backyard flock in Carmarthenshire on 3 January. It has also been confirmed in wild birds in England, Scotland and Wales in recent weeks.

Chief veterinary officer Nigel Gibbens commented: “Recent H5N8 avian flu findings in wild birds and a backyard flock in Wales highlight just how essential it is to minimise contact between wild and captive birds and maintain good biosecurity to reduce the risk of infection.

“We must continue to be vigilant and do all we can to protect against this highly pathogenic strain of the disease, which is why we are extending the Prevention Zone, have introduced a ban on poultry gatherings and continue to strengthen surveillance to understand the extent of infection in wild birds.”

Under the prevention zone, keepers in England are required to keep birds indoors or take practical steps to keep them separate from wild birds. Similar measures have been implemented in Scotland and Wales, and there is a GB-wide ban on poultry shows and gatherings.

Poultry keepers must also practice good biosecurity to limit the risk of infection spreading through feed, clothing and equipment.

Mr Gibbens added: “The Prevention Zone means anyone who keeps poultry such as chickens, ducks and geese, even as pets, must take action to stop them coming into contact with wild birds to protect them from avian flu.

“Birds should be moved into a suitable building, or if that isn’t possible owners must take sensible precautions to keep them away from wild birds, like putting up netting to create a temporary enclosure and keeping food and water supplies inside where they cannot be contaminated by wild birds.

“Even when birds are kept indoors a risk of infection remains so keepers must also practice good biosecurity, for example by disinfecting footwear and equipment and washing clothing after contact with birds.”

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.