News

Bluetongue

The Pet Health Council is aware of the recent cases of Bluetongue disease in Ipswich, Suffolk. Bluetongue is an insect-borne viral disease which mainly affects sheep and cattle but other ruminants such as goats and deer are also susceptible.

Bluetongue does not affect non-ruminant animals such as cats and dogs, but any pet owners concerned about the health of their pet should seek veterinary advice.

Bluetongue does not affect humans and there is no risk to human health. At present there are no countryside restrictions.

For further information, you can visit the Defra website by clicking on the link below.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/bluetongue/index.htm

MRSA statement

The Pet Health Council is aware of the recently published report by the Soil Association, warning that meat sold in the United Kingdom could be infected with MRSA. The Council would like to acknowledge that no infected meat has been identified in the UK by the Government or Food Standards Agency. It should also be noted that the strain of MRSA identified is different to hospitals acquired strains. Furthermore, cooking meet properly will destroy MRSA.

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