|
In order to answer a large number of enquiries from concerned
clients this new disease to the UK is neither a threat to
humans or our domestic pets. This is a disease of ruminants
(principally sheep and cattle) which is spread from one
animal to another via a blood feeding flying insect known
as the midge.
This notorious beastie is well known in my homeland in
the West of Scotland where it is infamous for ruining many
outdoor pursuits as the voracious little feeders cause tremendous
local skin irritation. Fotunately, for the time being there
are no major viral diseases that occur that far North although
with the projected climate changes that are predicted that
situation may well change.
It has been assumed that the warm weather of 2006 allowed
the specific midge that harbours this virus to survive in
sufficient numbers over winter to spread North in Europe
and ultimately across the channel to the UK.
Whilst Bluetongue is no threat to our pets the same principle
of disease spread by blood sucking parasites is likely to
be of great importance to our pet population if this trend
continues.
Leismaniasis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, hepatozoonosis
and heartworm are all potentially life threatening conditions
that are transmitted via ticks, sandflies and mosquitoes
and all are currently available in Europe!!
At Fairfield we have already seen some of these diseases
in pets who have previously been abroad and the importance
of rigorous and regular parasite control cannot be underestimated.
Who knows whether this picture of a mosquito taken in my
kitchen last week may represent a more sinister shape of
things to come?
Terry
Dunne BVMS, Cert SAO, MRCVS
Back
to "Advice" Index
If you wish to print or save this page it
is available in PDF format here
|
