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Infection of pigs with influenza A H1N1 2009 virus (A(H1N1)pdm09) was first detected in England in November 2009 following global spread of the virus in the human population. This paper describes clinical and epidemiological findings in the first English pig farms in which A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza virus was detected. These farms showed differences in disease presentation, spread and duration of infection. The factors likely to influence these features are described and relate to whether pigs were housed or outdoors, the age of the pigs, intercurrent disease and the management system of the unit. Infection could be mild or clinically inapparent in breeding pigs with more typical respiratory disease being identified later in their progeny. Mortality was low where disease was uncomplicated by environmental stresses or concurrent infections. Where deaths occurred in pigs infected with A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza, they were mainly due to other infections, including streptococcal disease due to Streptococcus suis infection. This paper demonstrates the ease with which A(H1N1)pdm09 virus was transmitted horizontally and maintained in a pig population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current re-evaluation of responsibility and cost sharing between the public and private sectors with reference to animal health and welfare (AHW) would be improved by a greater understanding of the contributions made at farm level. This knowledge would facilitate the design of a cost-sharing system which best balances technical, economic and political objectives. This paper presents a framework by which the farm-level investment in AHW can be assessed. An evaluation of data available for the framework was made and, as a benchmark, an estimate of total expenditure on veterinary medical inputs for commercial agricultural holdings in England calculated. In 2010/2011 it is calculated that farmers on commercial holdings in England spent £230 million on veterinary medicines and fees, with an additional £160 million being spent for horses kept on non-commercial holdings. By contrast, for 2012/2013, Defra budgeted £277 million on AHW. The results presented emphasise the critical importance of generating sufficient evidence to support the development of an efficient, equitable and sustainable AHW strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the disease risk assessment procedure that is adopted for wildlife and conservation interventions controlled by wildlife legislation in England. A simple risk algorithm was developed that is used to identify and prioritise the procedures of most concern. The process provides a system that is intended to be practicable to implement, proportionate to the associated risks, and ensures that costs are not escalated so that the activity becomes unviable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) on a cattle farm in Normandy, Surrey, was confirmed on Friday August 3, 2007, the first case in the UK since 2001. The infection was detected nearby on a second farm on August 6. On September 12, FMD was confirmed on a farm approximately 20 km from Normandy in Egham, and this was followed by cases on five more farms in that area in the next three weeks. The majority of the infected farms consisted of multiple beef cattle holdings in semi-urban areas. In total, 1578 animals were culled on the infected farms, and FMD virus infection was confirmed in 278 of them by the detection of viral antigen, genome or antibodies to the virus, or by clinical signs. This paper describes the findings from animal inspections on the infected farms, including the estimated ages of the FMD lesions and the numbers of animals infected, It also summarises the test results from samples taken for investigation, including the detection of preclinically viraemic animals by using real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A monophasic group B Salmonella enterica 4,12:a:-- was first isolated in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in Scotland in 1991. This paper reports the isolation of the same group B S enterica from harbour porpoise carcases found stranded along the Cornwall and Devon coastlines. Between 1991 and 2002, 80 harbour porpoises were submitted for postmortem examination and subjected to bacteriological examination under the UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme. A total of 28 Salmonella isolates were recovered and subjected to several tests, including biochemical, molecular and serological analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about the topics discussed during the British Veterinary Association (BVA) Council meeting at the Royal Institute of British Architects in London, England on December 9, 2009 is presented. It cites a paper introduced by BVA former president Nicky Paull on fees for Official Veterinarians (OV). It also highlights the proposed Animal Health's fee system by BVA president Bill Reilly.

Information about several papers discussed at the meeting of the Institute for Animal Health that was held at the Royal Society in London, England on May 9, 2008 is presented. Topics include the tracking of the emergence and global spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), the difficulties presented in controlling FMD outbreaks in South Africa, the difficulties of dealing with endemic FMD and advances in FMD diagnostics.

Information about several papers discussed at the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) meeting held on June 27, 2007 in London, England is presented. The convention discusses the insurance matters and the completion of sufficient continuing professional development (CPD). It gives the veterinary nurses the opportunity to ask questions the about the new statutory register of veterinary nurses.

Information about several papers discussed at a meeting sponsored by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) Council on the Official Veterinarian (OV) negotiations held in May 24, 2009 at Mayfair Cavendish Conference Centre in London, England is presented. Topics include the introduction of electronic system for Official Veterinarian (OV) work, and a discussion on tuberculosis (TB) testing fee proposal between BVA and Animal Health. The meeting featured BVA Council members like Bill Reilly.

Information about several papers discussed at the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) Annual General Meeting held in Birmingham, England on April 5, 2009 is presented. Topic includes the discussion on the issues dominating Ed Hall's presidency in the association including the essence of BSAVA and its held mission, and the pedigree dog breeding. The conference was highlighted with the election of BSAVA's new team officers and the awarding of honorary life membership to Susan Shaw.

Information about the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Council meeting held at the Belgravia House, London, England on March 5, 2009 is presented. Jerry Davies, chairman of the RCVS presented a paper regarding their mission statement. Richard Stephenson talked about the need for the College to focus on animal welfare. On the other hand, Peter Jinman mentioned that RCVS must be selective regarding the high-level issues and give more emphasis on it.

Information about several papers discussed at a meeting sponsored by Dogs Trust in London, England regarding veterinary researches on kennelled dogs is presented. Topics include the diarrhea and stress of dogs, the outcomes of early and late spaying of female dogs, and the issues on dog charity. The meeting featured veterinary experts including Gillian Diesel, Dr. Dave Brodbelt, and Professor Tom Humphrey.

Information on several papers discusses at the annual conference of the Association for Veterinary Teaching and Research Work (AVTRW) held in Scarborough, England on May 18, 2008 is presented. Topics include the activities of AVTRW in 2007 to 2008, the new cycle of roadshows promoting veterinary research to students, and the election on new officer team. Professor Malcolm Bennett of Liverpool veterinary school was elected president , while Doctor Adrian Philbey was elected honorary secretary.

The article reports that Russell Lewis Oakes from Lancashire, England, has been arrested by police following a complaint by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) that he had fraudulently registered as a veterinary surgeon using false papers. The complaint claimed that Oakes used a forged qualification from Murdoch University in Western Australia to register with the RCVS in November 2006.

The article reports that the meeting of the Disciplinary Committee of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) will be held at the RCVS at 62-64 Horseferry Road in London, England on December 11, 2007. The hearings will be conducted in public and subject to limitations of space. The paper provides contact information for interested parties.

Information about several papers discussed at the British Veterinary Association (BVA) Congress in London, England in 2006 is presented. It offers a stimulating program with the importance of the human factor concerning contingency plans for exotic disease outbreaks and the need for practitioner involvement and communication, through discussions on demographic changes. Professor Bill Reilly receives the BVA's Chiron Award and Saul Ing receives the Harry Steele-Bodger Memorial Scholarship.

The article provides information on the guidelines for the election of members of Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in England. This election is intended for six members who will serve on RCVS council for four years and will take effect during its annual meeting. Information about the nomination form, voting papers and the election process had been provided.

The article provides information that prompts members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) who were not able to cast their votes in the election of members of RCVS Council. Members are reminded that no later than April 28, 2006, voting papers must be received by Electoral Reform Ballot Services in London, England.

Highlights the 2004 British Veterinary Association's annual awards ceremony on October 1, 2004 as part of the Association's congress in London, England. Presentation of the Dalrymple-Champneys cup and medal to Paul Flecknell whose main clinical and research interests and anesthesia and analgesia of all species of animals; Designation of Nigel Harcourt-Brown as the William Hunting Award recipient for his paper "Development of the Skeleton and Feathers of Dusky Parrots"; Recipient of the Harry Steele-Bodger Memorial Travel Scholarship.

Highlights the international conference on exotic and wild animal medicine held in London, England. Topics covered in the event; Investigation on animal disease, diagnosis and treatment; Presentation of papers related to animal health.

Reports on a paper prepared by the British Equine Veterinary Association on the horse passports due to come into force in England on November 30, 2003. Value of the passport system in preventing medicines not intended for use in animals used for food from entering the food chain; Difficulties that could arise in identifying horses.