Bluetongue virus-infected adult midges surviving winter may have been responsible for the re-emergence of bluetongue this year in northern Europe.

In a paper just published in the Veterinary Record*, Anthony Wilson and colleagues of the Institute for Animal Health's (IAH) Pirbright Laboratory have presented evidence to support the view that the reappearance of bluetongue in northern Europe this year could have been
caused by adult midges surviving from the previous year.

The question as to whether this second season of bluetongue was due to re-introduction of the BTV-8, survival of the virus in some animals that had been infected in 2006 or in larval forms of the midge, or in adult midges that survived the winter, is not known, and is addressed in this
Veterinary Record paper.

Anthony Wilson said: "The ability of bluetongue virus to re-emerge in temperate areas after absences of several months has been a source of discussion for years. Other researchers have proposed complex and unusual mechanisms. Our work suggests that simpler mechanisms may also have a major role to play."

Below 15 degrees C there is virtually no replication of the virus in a midge. However, at low temperatures the virus remains dormant in the midges and the midges themselves can survive for much longer than at summer temperatures.

Bluetongue virus came to northern Europe for the first time in summer 2006. The last clinical case of that first season of bluetongue was reported in mid-Jan 2007. After a break of several months the disease re-emerged, and the first BTV infection in the UK (with BTV type 8, the
same as in Belgium and surrounding countries) was confirmed by IAH on 22 September this year.

Taking into account air temperatures at the centre of the 2006 outbreak, and the growth of the virus at various temperatures, Wilson and colleagues have calculated that mid-April 2007 was the earliest time by when the virus would have grown to sufficient levels for the overwintering midges to be able to successfully infect animals when taking a blood meal. This agrees with the estimate made in Germany based on blood tests detecting antibody to the virus in the first cow observed to have developed disease.

The findings of Wilson and colleagues suggest that overwintering of the disease could simply be a combination of the long term survival of adult midges at low temperatures, retention of the virus in the midges, with short periods of virus growth during periods when the temperature
reached 15 degrees C. Once temperatures significantly exceeded 15 degrees C, which they
did in early to mid April, the virus more rapidly grew to the point at which the midges became fully infectious; the second season of bluetongue had begun.

It is quite possible that this phenomenon will be repeated in 2008, unless steps are taken to prevent it. Vaccination is considered to be the best defence against bluetongue. Vaccines against BTV-8 are expected to become available during early 2008. The progression of the disease on
the continent during 2007, combined with the analysis of Wilson and colleagues, suggests that for vaccination to be most successful it wouldneed to be undertaken by Spring 2008.

Interesting research from The Pet Market, a new market assessment report from market intelligence providers Key Note Ltd., which shows that the decline in pet ownership over the last ten years is being offset by an increasing trend towards pampering pets.

According to Key Notes exclusive research, the number of respondents that owned any type of pet fell from 48% in February 2005 to 40% in February 2007. However the total market for pet products, including insurance, was £2.2bn in 2006, and increase of 11.1% on 2002.

Factors cited by Key Note as behind the drop in pet ownership included the trend towards smaller households and busier lifestyles. However, this has been offset by growing divorce rates, and an increase in people living alone who buy a pet for companionship. There has also been a trend towards having children later, with many people buying pets as 'surrogate children'. In both cases, owners seem to be prepared to spend more on their pet, for example buying them Christmas presents as they would for a friend or child.

The survey also revealed that 89% of owners are prepared to spend 'a bit extra' on premium food for their pet, in order to ensure it provides all the nutrients it needs. Interestingly, it was those in the lower social grades that were prepared to spend more on pet food: 97% of DEs, versus 83% of ABs. Fewer than 7% said they looked for the cheapest pet food available.

58% of owners said they only bought accessories when absolutely necessary. Despite this, half bought items such as toys at least twice a year.

Key Note predicts no major changes to these trends over the forthcoming 5 years.

The full report can be bought from Key Note for £880. Telephone 0208 4818750, or email: sales@keynote.co.uk

The RSPCA has just published the report: The Welfare State: Measuring Animal Welfare in the UK 2006, a statistical analysis of animal welfare in the UK.

The annual report considers 35 animal welfare indicators relating to wildlife, farm animals, research animals and pets. Key findings concerning pets include:

• The majority of dogs and cats in the UK (84%) are still not microchipped.
• Since 2004, the number of dog fights reported to the RSPCA has increased 5 fold.
• In 2006, local authorities had to deal with 50,000 stray dogs.
• As few as one in five pet shops selling ‘exotic’ animals such as snakes and primates offer free written information to customers.

Other main findings include:

• The proportion of people who feel that for a society to be truly civilised, animal welfare must be a key priority has leapt from 54% to 73% in the last year.
• The number of wild-caught birds imported into the EU has plummeted from 72,000 in 2003 to 11 last year, following a recent ban. But the number of wild-caught reptiles imported has increased from 11,000 to 18,400.
• A huge increase in the number of meat chickens raised to higher-welfare standards, quadrupling from 10 million in 2004 to more than 40 million this year. However this is still less than 5% of the market.

There is more available on the website http://www.animalwelfarefootprint.com/, including a questionnaire to test your own 'animal footprint'.

Wildlife Information Network (WIN), the international wildlife charity which provides information on the health and management of wild animals and emerging infectious diseases, has revised and updated its existing Foot-and-Mouth Disease volume, first published during the devastating UK outbreak in 2001.

This new information resource takes into account changes in international and European policy as well as new research. Key areas include diagnostic techniques, recent vaccine developments, changes in OIE regulations, and changes in EU regulations.

WIN is offering a free CD-ROM to the first 350 UK based people who send in a suitably stamped and addressed envelope (size C5) to the charity's office at The Royal Veterinary College, London NW1 0TU.

"It is important that this information is readily available" said Iain Boardman, chief executive of Wildlife Information Network. "For those who are not in the first 350 applicants, copies may be purchased on-line at the reduced price of GBP £12.50 each until the endof the year".

Commenting on the publication yesterday (Monday) of the Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir David King’s report on Bovine TB in Cattle and Badgers BVA President Nick Blayney said: “We welcome this response to the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB (ISG) report, not least the conclusion that removal of badgers should take place alongside the continued application of controls on cattle.

“TB control and eradication has for too long been polarised between those that argue that either cattle or badgers are responsible. Science clearly shows that both species are significant in the spread of TB and both must be tackled if TB is to be controlled and eradicated.

“There is no doubt that specific control policies need to be tailored to reflect regional variations in disease risk and we welcome the report’s recommendations in this respect. We would commend the report to Government and would reiterate the veterinary profession’s genuine commitment to an overall TB strategy designed to successfully control TB both in cattle and in the wildlife population.”

Virbac Animal Health reports that two leading dermatologists have expressed favourable opinions about Cortavance, its new treatment for inflammatory and pruritic dermatoses in dogs.

Anita Patel, a referral dermatologist in Kent, said the major benefit of Cortavance is that it can be used topically without the adverse effects seen with some of the systemic drugs used in the management of atopic dermatitis. She said: “What I like most about Cortavance is its rapid activity and beneficial use in a wide range of dermatological conditions. So far in my experience there have been very limited adverse effects.”

When asked what extra benefits Cortavance offered, Anita listed its pharmacological activity, ease of application, rapid resolution of inflammation and long shelf-life. Anita also highlighted how Cortavance can be used as an adjunctive treatment for dogs receiving allergen-specific immunotherapy, but which experience intermittent flare-ups and also as an adjunctive treatment for dogs that are being treated with antihistamines.

Fellow dermatologist Cathy Curtis, who works for the Dermatology Referral Service in Hertfordshire, said: “I like the idea of a spray formulation for ease of application and particularly the fact that the product has a moderately potent therapeutic effect with minimal risk of adverse cutaneous or systemic effects. It is potentially safer for the owner to use as they do not have to handle the product directly. Additionally, as a mono-pharmaceutical, it eliminates the risk of adverse reactions to accompanying antibiotics and antifungals."

Pet Blood Bank UK (PBBuk), the first charity which collects, processes, stores and supplies pet blood products in the UK, has announced its Board of Trustees.

They are: Phil Nuttall, former Head of the National Blood Service Sheffield Centre, Dr. Freda Scott-Park, immediate Past President of the British Veterinary Association, John Michael Hill, President Elect Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons and Wendy Barnett, Executive Director of PBBuk.

The five members of the newly convened board will ensure the long-term health and effectiveness of PBBuk and will play a key role in developing the business plan for the organisation as well as formulating strategy and supporting fundraising activity to ensure the charity has a sustainable future.

Supported by Vets Now, PBBuk is based at a dedicated state of the art unit in Loughborough, Leicestershire. This service means that dogs all over the UK have access to blood products through their veterinary practice, providing them with vital, lifesaving treatment.

The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers has welcomed Government chief scientist, Sir David King’s report to ministers in which he advises a badger cull in areas where there is ‘a high and persistent incidence of bTB, provided removal takes place alongside an effective programme of cattle controls’.

However the association has expressed surprise that the recommendation has come from Sir David, rather than Defra, the department responsible for bTB, and that it is completely at odds with those made less than four months ago by the Independent Scientific Group (ISG).

“Sir David’s conclusions are extremely practical; they are in fact what we and other members of the industry have been suggesting for the last 10 years,” comments RABDF chairman, Lyndon Edwards. “These measures are sheer common sense and the first step towards what we hope is a sensible strategy that will be acceptable to all. It really is wonderful news to find a chief government advisor accepting what farmers consider to be the obvious.

“However, to farmers the announcement will also come as confusing because it contradicts the ISG report findings released in June, which concluded that badger culling cannot meaningfully contribute to the future control of cattle TB in Britain,” he said. “Furthermore, we find it surprising that the announcement has come from Sir David and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills when bTB is the responsibility of Defra, and its minister Lord Rooker had been scheduled to make an announcement before the end of the month.”

He added: “While it demonstrates the lack of joined up thinking between the two departments, we trust Sir David’s recommendations will lead to removal of bTB among our beleaguered livestock sector in which this insidious disease has led to bankruptcies among farmers as well as considerable heartache throughout our rural communities.”

Vets Now, the UK’s national dedicated out-of-hours veterinary emergency care provider, is set to open its 31st clinic in the new year. The clinic will be located in Caterham and will operate from the premises of the Village Animal Hospital, Guards Hill, Coulsden Road, Caterham, CR3 5ZD.

Prior to the clinic opening Vets Now will be holding an open evening on the 8 November 2007. The evening is an opportunity for practices in the area or veterinary professionals thinking about working within the clinic to come down and find out more about the company.

The open evening on the Thursday 8 November will be held in the Village Animal Hospital, Guards Hill, Coulsden Road, Caterham, CR3 5ZD and will be running from 7.30pm – 9.30pm with drinks and nibbles provided. Vets Now have asked that anyone planning to attend the open evening email marketing@vets-now.com