Press Release
The Bella
Moss Foundation and Janssen Animal Health are inviting vets and vet nurses to a
series of seminars around the country on MRSA and Veterinary Practice, prevention
and treatment (see attached invite for more details of locations).
The seminars are aimed at bringing to veterinary
staff the latest knowledge on MRSA now that the so-called ‘Superbug’ has begun
to appear regularly in animals. The seminars will also help them develop the
techniques and practices that will enable them to reduce to the very minimum
the risk of MRSA to them, their staff and the animals they treat.
The seminars are led by expert researchers and
clinicians who are themselves at the leading edge of the fight against MRSA in
animals and humans, and the presentations include new research findings.
One of the key speakers in the programme is
Veterinary Dermatologist Professor David Lloyd of the
,
Department of Clinical Sciences, Hertfordshire. “Many people have been alarmed by the way MRSA has made the leap from
humans to animals, but the greatest risk to the veterinary profession and the
animals we treat is complacency. “There has been a worrying increase in the
numbers of pets reported with MRSA infection. The causes for this seem to be
complex and research to understand this emerging infection in animals and
people is continuing. The Bella Moss foundation has been very helpful in
helping pet owners to understand the complexity of the issues involved. These
seminars are an excellent opportunity for practicing vets to get the very best
information on how to tackle this problem.”
Another noted speaker is Dr Tim Nuttall, Senior
lecturer Veterinary Dermatology,
faculty of veterinary science. “Veterinary practices will encounter animals
colonised or infected with meticillin resistant Staphylococcal bacteria.
Veterinary staff or other in-contact humans may be the reservoirs for infection
in at-risk animals, but infected or colonised animals can also act as
reservoirs for further transmission to humans. There are also issues relating
to the spread of MRSA in other healthcare settings such as nursing homes or
where visiting pets are used as therapy animals. It is vital that veterinary
practices are aware of the potential problems and implement effective
infectious disease control strategies. The key points are: scrupulous hand
hygiene; a clean environment; and prudent antibiotic use. These seminars are an
excellent opportunity for vets and nurses to learn about MRSA and its control
in practice.”
The seminars have been organised jointly by The
Bella Moss Foundation, a charitable company working to bring information and
support to pet owners and vets, and Janssen Animal Health, a company with a
long history of involvement in animal’s health issues, and which regularly
presents educational and Professional Development events to the veterinary
profession.
Helen Goldberg leads the involvement of Janssen
Animal Health, herself a trained vet. “Janssen has seen the work that The
Bella Moss Foundation has been doing with pet owners and vets on the issue of
MRSA in animals,” she said, “and, as Janssen has been looking into the issue of
antibacterial resistance with their product, Surolan, it seemed absolutely the
right thing to do to join with The Foundation in developing this series of
seminars. Up-to-date knowledge and understanding of the issues is the key to
dealing with antibacterial resistance and MRSA, and Janssen sees this as an
excellent way of demonstrating its commitment to animal welfare.”
The Bella Moss Foundation was started in 2005
almost a year after Bella, a beautiful Samoyed dog, became the first recorded
canine death from the effects of MRSA. Bella contracted the infection after undergoing surgery to repair a
ruptured knee ligament, and her owner actress Jill Moss, discovered that there
was almost no information available to pet owners or vets on the best way to
identify and treat the bacterium. Realising that there was a desperate need for
this, Jill started an information website (www.pets-mrsa.com)
and from that the Bella Moss Foundation evolved.
Jill Moss,
President and Founder of The Bella Moss Foundation
"We alert pet owners to the risks
of MRSA in animals, but vets and vet nurses need to get the latest clinical and
research information. These events throughout the
UKwill attract local veterinary practitioners and give them all they need to know
to reduce the risk of new cases occurring. MRSA is generally the same bug in
vet surgeries as it is human hospitals, and the risks can be dramatically
reduced through strict and proper hygiene. My Bella died unnecessarily,
and putting on these seminars is my way of preventing future animals’ lives
being lost in the same way. We cannot be complacent just because MRSA is
seen as affecting humans more than animals.
"The
aim of the Bella Moss Foundation is to promote awareness and provide
information. We need to alert both pet owners and veterinary staff to the risks
of MRSA in animals. If we don’t, we will see levels of mrsa in animals escalate
to those we have in human healthcare.
The British Small Animal
Veterinary Association, Petplan and Idexx Laboratories also support the events.
For more information on the MRSA seminars contact
Victoria Shackelford at Jansen Animal Health on: 01494 567763; E-mail: [email protected]
To speak to Jill Moss President and Founder of the
Bella Moss Foundation for interviews call 07860879079 [email protected]
www.thebellamossfoundation.com
ENDS
