PRESS RELEASE
Bella Moss Foundation UK Registered Charity 1122246
BMF becomes an official charity helping animals with MRSA
Patrons Claire Raynor and Peter Purves
Contact Jill Moss – 07860 879079
info@thebellamossfoundation.com
www.TheBellaMossFoundation.com
"I am delighted to hear that the valuable work done in the area of infectious diseases in animals can now move on to the next phase due to the Bella Moss Foundation's new status as a charity. The extent of MRSA and other diseases in dogs is not really known, only the fact that the numbers are rising. Vets will welcome the support and information provided by the charity - I can see nothing but good coming from this" - Peter Purves Bella Moss Foundation Honorary Vice Patron
Photo and interview opportunity
Crufts NEC Birmingham 6-9th March 2008
DATE Thursday 6th h March LOCATION Stand 174 Hall 5 TIME 12.00pm (photo/interview opportunity with : -)
Marc Abraham Channel 4’s TV Vet (Paul O Grady Show) Pet Plan Vet Oscar winner 2007 Pet Plan Awards
Also meet Tina Griffiths with her dog Mr Ottowa who recovered from MRSA and Tina will be on the stand helping us inform other owners about MRSA in animals
Contact Jill Moss 07860 879079 (non Crufts press interviews can be arranged)
After three years hard work The Bella Moss Foundation is pleased to announce that this year we will be at Crufts for the first time as a UK registered charity. This is good news for the foundation as we are now in a position to raise funds for academic research and educational events that increase knowledge amongst veterinarians of mrsa in animals.
Over the last three years we have helped hundreds of animals and owners as new bacterial diseases like Clostridium difficile emerge to affect animals. Our work is ongoing and other major animal welfare charities are supporting our work.
MRSA and Clostridium Difficile are bacteria that can easily spread between humans and animals. The most common strain of MRSA found in animals is EMRSA 15/16, which dominates UK hospitals. We are also seeing new community strains spreading from humans to animals.
How animals get MRSA and current research
Animals get MRSA from people; either vet staff or owners, or from animal to animal. It is also possible that animals can pick up, as humans can, community strains of MRSA. We do know that animals, just like humans, can be carriers and pass MRSA on, and there have been cases of an infected or colonised owner passing the bacteria to their pet and vice versa. All species of animals are susceptible to MRSA, and recent studies from Holland and Belgium have shown pigs to be carrying MRSA. Research is planned by Defra (Department of Food and Rural Affairs) (commencing January 2008) to analyse dust in pig farms to see if MRSA is present, and The Royal Veterinary College is conducting a risk-factor study on prevalence of MRSA in companion animals due to be published in September 2008.
Symptoms of MRSA in animals
Raised temperature lack of appetite, lethargy, post operative wounds that are non-healing, inflamed wounds or skin infections, boils and open sores might all indicate a resistant infection and the advice is to notify the vet immediately and request a bacterial swab. This will enable treatment to be targeted so that the greatest chance of recovery is ensured.
Statistics
There are no central statistics on MRSA infections in animals, but the Jill Moss (President and Founder of BMF) is a member of DEFRA’s Darc (Defra antimicrobial resistance committee) sub group committee on mrsa in animals which meets twice yearly and discussions have taken place between a number of agencies on how a database can be created and managed.
Prevention
Risk if infection from MRSA can be minimised with good hygiene and cleaning, but this depends on owners and veterinarians being aware of the best practice. In the long-term, reduction in the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics may be the most important factor in reducing rates of infection.
Best Practice
Vets can make sure their practice is up to date with infection control protocols and that staff are trained in preventing cross-infection and that the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics is limited to those occasions when it is absolutely necessary. It is also important to limit inpatient stays to the minimum required for the treatment of a condition as this can help reduce exposure to colonised environments. Pet owners need to do all they can to keep their pet healthy, and understand the part they can play in preventing exposure to resistant bacteria.
The Bella Moss Foundation – How we help
The Foundation works to support pet owners whose pets are suspected or diagnosed with a serious infection by providing practical information and liasing with vets so that they can get the best advice when dealing with difficult cases. The Foundation, with the help of sponsorship, is able to provide Continuing Professional Development seminars and educational conferences for veterinarians so they can update their knowledge on resistant strains of bacteria and treatment approaches, and we are also in the process of developing an on-line training website for veterinary nurses and other practice staff.
We also have an international team of veterinary experts from established academic institutes who present at conferences and provide support to veterinarians worldwide.
2008 – More seminars planned for veterinarians on mrsa in animals
2009 – 2nd International Conference on mrsa in animals in association with DEFRA
Those who help The Foundation
We are very pleased that, once again, we will have help on our stand from student vets and vet nurses. These students represent the future of veterinary care and their help is of enormous value. We are also Grateful to out clinical advisors who liaise with vets on cases.
Links
Visit our website to see testimonials from owners and more about our clinical advisors
http://www.thebellamossfoundation.com/testimonials.asp
http://www.thebellamossfoundation.com/advisors.asp
Jill Moss Founder and President of The Bella Moss Foundation is now a member of DEFRA’s Darc sub group committee on mrsa in animals and also DEFRA’s Consumer Engagement committee on animal welfare – both committees look into diseases passed between humans and animals.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/zoonoses/mrsa.htm Link to DEFRA’s Darc sub group committee and Bella Moss Foundation membership.
Jill Moss is also a member of AGPAW (Associate Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare) which meets at Houses of Parliament a few times a year to discuss animal welfare issues
An all party group for members of both houses at Westminster formed to promote and further the cause Of animal welfare by all means available to the Parliaments at Westminster and in Europe
Chair: Eric Martlew MP; Joint Vice Chair: Dr Nick Palmer MP, Rt Hon Elliot Morley MP;
Joint Honorary Secretaries: Norman Baker MP, Baroness Gale, Lord Soulsby of Swaffham Prior; Treasurer: Tim Loughton MP
###
