Brian P. Marlow Limited Veterinary Practice



	News This section of our website has been created to keep you up-to-date with important petcare and animal related news. 28/11/06 MRSA - an emerging problem in dogs and cats? read more... 28/11/06 Avian Influenza in the UK read more...

28/11/06 MRSA - an emerging problem in dogs and cats?
Recent press headlines such as '"Hospital superbug" MRSA spreads to animals' and 'MRSA on the rise in veterinary clinics' have caused concern among pet owners, not only on account of their animal's health, but also for the possible role of cats and dogs in spreading infection to people.

MRSA or 'methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus' is not a new disease but the exponential rise in its prevalence in hospitalised humans and those working in hospitals, in combination with the development of resistance to many antibiotics, has resulted in deaths, increased wound infections and cost of healthcare. In some cases spread has occurred between humans not undergoing hospital treatment. In both these situations humans are the main source of infection and the major transmission method is human-to-human contact.

Dogs and cats (very rarely) may become infected with MRSA but at a very low rate, and with infected humans being the most common source. The much-publicized death of Bella the dog was caused by a strain probably transmitted from the owner who worked in a hospital and from whom the infection was also isolated. As awareness of the problem increases there is evidence that MRSA can be contracted both in the community and in Veterinary Hospitals and Clinics, but the number of cases has been very small and most are treated successfully.

As vets we are certainly not complacent about this potential problem and strongly advocate the responsible use of anti-bacterials (antibiotics) to minimise the development of resistant species and strains of bacteria, particularly if they have the potential to pass to humans. We also have a good historical record of hygiene within our premises and recent articles in the Veterinary Press have emphasised the procedures and protocols that can be followed to minimise such infections, and also encouraging the full investigation of any cases that occur so that more information can be built up.

MRSA does not normally harm healthy people, including pregnant women, babies and children and this applies to healthy animals. Pet owners who undertake normal hygienic precautions are at minimal risk. In a situation where an animal may be infected, or carrying MRSA, high-risk individuals (long term sick, elderly or with a poor immune system) may need to take extra care and should seek advise from their Veterinary Surgeon and Doctor.

Refs: Dogs, cats and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Journal of Small Animal Practice December 2004 R.A. Duquette and T.J. Nuttall BSAVA Policy on MRSA

Brian Marlow B.V.Sc MRCVS

Return to top

28/11/06 Avian Influenza in the UK
After Avian Influenza (AI) having been in the headlines in the early part of the year things have been a lot quieter, but with the winter migration of wild birds approaching the subject may assume more importance.

The problem centres on the spread of a highly pathogenic strain of the virus (H5N1) from SE Asia across Europe. The strain called H5N1 has affected both wild and domestic birds. A wide geographic spread of the disease has occurred in central Asia, involving domestic poultry and wild birds and has resulted in the loss of more than 140 million poultry.

There is concern globally that the current prevalence of the disease in Asia could lead to a human pandemic if the virus mutates to a form that would be highly infectious to man and many countries including the UK have been reassessing their surveillance, prevention and control methods for this disease.

On the 5th April 2006, Defra reported that. Highly pathogenic avian influenza had been found in a dead swan found in Fife, Scotland, but no further cases were reported. Prior to this the virus had already gained access to 13 other member states of the EU and their experience indicates that control measures have been successful in limiting the spread to domestic poultry. It is important to stress that British poultry met and eggs are safe to eat (with the normal caveats that they are thoroughly cooked) and that we have excellent food safety controls in place, probably the most stringent in the world since the outbreak of BSE in 1986.

Avian Influenza first appeared in Italy over 100 years ago and low pathogenic strains of the virus have circulated in wild birds for hundreds of years, but it is the ability of these viruses to mutate which has given rise to the development of highly pathogenic strain H5N1. AI spread rapidly through bird populations by a number of routes including bird droppings and shared water sources. The situation in China and many parts of SE Asia, where poultry (often ducks), pigs and man sleep in the same air space provides an ideal opportunity for potential cross infection to occur. The risk of a human pandemic resulting from mutation of a strain of AI is greatest in these environments. These situations do not occur in the UK.

Avian Influenza could be transmitted into the UK by a number of routes

1. Migratory wild birds
2. Illegally imported domestic birds (or other species)
3. Illegally imported poultry products (including Feathers)
4. Indirect transfer by man from regions of the world where disease is present.

The Poultry Industry accounts for the vast majority of poultry within the UK and most industry sectors are well governed, traceable and have adequate biosecurity measures in place but of some concern in the UK are the number of "backyard" poultry flocks of a few hens.

Defra has set up a number of informative sites at http://www.defra.gov.uk

We encourage every poultry owner to register on the Poultry Register at http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/vetsurveillance/poultry/index.htm

For pictures illustrating the symptoms of AI in birds visit http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/pictures/avianinfluenza.htm

Information on the protection of people in contact with poultry in event of an outbreak can be found at http://hse.gov.uk

These links and the information in this short article are not exhaustive and more information can be obtained from the main Defra website

Return to top

___________________
For routine appointments please call between 8.30am and 6.30pm

Bath Surgery :

01225 428921
Marshfield Surgery :

01225 891171
Out of Hours Emergencies:

01225 428921

365 days a year

__ _______ ______ _________ ___ __ __ ______ _______ ______ _________ ___

__ _______ ______ _________ ___ __ __ ______ _______ ______ _________ ___ __ __ ______ _______ ______ _________ ___ __ __ ______ _______ ______ _________ ___ __ __ ______ _______ ______ _________ ___ __ __ ______ _______ ______ _________ ___ __ __ ____ __ _______ ______ _________ ___ __ __ ______ _______ ______ _________ ___ __ __ ______ _______ ______ _________ ___ __ __ ______ _______ ______ _________ ___ __ __ ______ _______ ______ _________ ___ __ __ ______ _______ ______ _________ ___ __ __ ____