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Usutu virus returns to Austria
Blackbird
Usutu virus has returned to Austria, 10 years after it caused severe blackbird die-off in the country.

Virus responsible for mass bird die-off in 2001

A disease that caused severe blackbird die-off in Austria has re-emerged, not only in blackbirds but also in humans.

First discovered in 2001, Usutu virus caused severe wild bird mortality in Eastern Austria. It mainly affected blackbirds but other songbirds suffered too.

In the past decade, no cases of Usutu virus have been observed in Austria. But cases have been reported in other parts of Europe, including neighbouring Hungary.

In 2016, Usutu virus was confirmed in two deceased blackbirds from Austria - and in 2017 in sixteen songbirds. Researchers at Vetmeduni Vienna investigated the virus strains involved.

In a separate study, Usutu virus was demonstrated in seven human blood donations from eastern Austria, suggesting that human infections seem to be more frequent than first thought.

“We were surprised to see after 10 years of absence last year the reemergence of Usutu virus in Austria. Also, other European countries reported last year widespread Usutu virus activity,” says principal investigator Norbert Nowotny from the Institute of Virology.

“We, therefore, investigated the genetic set-up of the Austrian and Hungarian viruses in order to enhance our understanding which virus strains are currently active in the regions and from where they have been introduced.”

Researchers note the viruses identified in Hungary between 2010 and 2015 were closely related to the ‘original’ virus strain that was responsible for the mass bird die-off in Austria. The viruses found in 2016 for both countries, however, turned out to be related to virus strains which circulated in Italy during 2009 and 2010.

Because these two variants belong to two different genetic lineages, this ‘demonstrates that various virus strains are exchanged between neighbouring countries’, explains Nowotny.

Usutu virus (USUV) is an African mosquito-borne virus that is closely related to West Nile Virus. Human Usutu virus infections are normally asymptomatic, sometimes resulting in fever and rash.

Neurologic symptoms and severe courses of the disease are rare in humans. However, critical illness was reported in 2009 in two immunosuppressed patients from Italy. 

The study, Usutu virus, Austria and Hungary, 2010–2016, is published in Emerging Microbes & Infections.

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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.