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The UK and Europe have seen successive outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza across the 2020/21 and 2021/22 autumn/winter seasons. Understanding both the epidemiology and transmission of these viruses in different species is critical to aid mitigating measures where outbreaks cause extensive mortalities in both land- and waterfowl. Infection of different species can result in mild or asymptomatic outcomes, or acute infections that result in high morbidity and mortality levels. Definition of disease outcome in different species is of great importance to understanding the role different species play in the maintenance and transmission of these pathogens. Further, the infection of species that have conservation value is also important to recognise and characterise to understand the impact on what might be limited wild populations. Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b has been detected in great skuas (Stercorarius skua) across different colonies on islands off the shore of Scotland, Great Britain during summer 2021. A large number of great skuas were observed as developing severe clinical disease and dying during the epizootic and mortalities were estimated to be high where monitored. Of eight skuas submitted for post-mortem examination, seven were confirmed as being infected with this virus using a range of diagnostic assays. Here we overview the outbreak event that occurred in this species, listed as species of conservation concern in Great Britain and outline the importance of this finding with respect to virus transmission and maintenance.

Bovine neonatal pancytopenia (BNP; previously known as idiopathic haemorrhagic diathesis and commonly known as bleeding calf syndrome) is a novel haemorrhagic disease of young calves which has emerged in a number of European countries during recent years. Data were retrospectively collected during June to November 2010 for 56 case calves diagnosed with BNP between 17 March and 7 June of the same year. These were compared with 58 control calves randomly recruited from herds with no history of BNP. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that increased odds of a calf being a BNP case were associated with its dam having received PregSure® BVD (Pfizer Animal Health) vaccination prior to the birth of the calf (odds ratio (OR) 40.78, p<0.001) and its herd of origin being located in Scotland (OR 9.71, p = 0.006). Decreased odds of a calf being a BNP case were associated with the calf having been kept outside (OR 0.11, p = 0.006). The longer that a cattle herd had been established on the farm was also associated with decreased odds of a calf in that herd being a BNP case (OR 0.97, p = 0.011).

Studies of light therapy have not been conducted previously in primary care. To evaluate light therapy in primary care. Fifty-seven participants with seasonal affective disorder were randomly allocated to 4 weeks of bright white or dim red light. Baseline expectations for treatment were assessed. Outcome was assessed with the Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Scale, Seasonal Affective Disorder Version. Both groups showed decreases in symptom scores of more than 40%. There were no differences in proportions of responders in either group, regardless of the remission criteria applied, with around 60% (74% white light, 57% red light) meeting broad criteria for response and 31% (30% white light, 33% red light) meeting strict criteria. There were no differences in treatment expectations. Primary care patients with seasonal affective disorder improve after light therapy, but bright white light is not associated with greater improvements.

Neisseria animaloris is considered to be a commensal of the canine and feline oral cavities. It is able to cause systemic infections in animals as well as humans, usually after a biting trauma has occurred. We recovered N . animaloris from chronically inflamed bite wounds on pectoral fins and tailstocks, from lungs and other internal organs of eight harbour porpoises. Gross and histopathological evidence suggest that fatal disseminated N . animaloris infections had occurred due to traumatic injury from grey seals. We therefore conclude that these porpoises survived a grey seal predatory attack, with the bite lesions representing the subsequent portal of entry for bacteria to infect the animals causing abscesses in multiple tissues, and eventually death. We demonstrate that forensic microbiology provides a useful tool for linking a perpetrator to its victim. Moreover, N . animaloris should be added to the list of potential zoonotic bacteria following interactions with seals, as the finding of systemic transfer to the lungs and other tissues of the harbour porpoises may suggest a potential to do likewise in humans.

Little is known about the presentation and management of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in primary care. To determine the use of health care services by people suffering from SAD. Following a screening of patients consulting in primary care, 123 were identified as suffering from SAD. Each was age- and gender-matched with two primary care consulters with minimal seasonal morbidity, yielding 246 non-seasonal controls. From primary care records, health care usage over a 5-year period was established. Patients with SAD consulted in primary care significantly more often than controls and presented with a wider variety of symptoms. They received more prescriptions, underwent more investigations and had more referrals to secondary care. Patients with SAD are heavy users of health care services. This may reflect the condition itself, its comorbidity or factors related to the personality or help-seeking behaviour of sufferers.

Twelve Texel sheep were found to have diaphragmatic lesions, with or without thoracic haemorrhage, at postmortem examination over a period of two-and-a-half years. Presenting clinical signs ranged from general malaise or mild respiratory stertor, to severe acute respiratory distress or sudden death. Gross postmortem findings included focal areas of diaphragmatic haemorrhage, diaphragmatic musculature necrosis or diaphragmatic rupture with herniation of abdominal viscera into the thoracic cavity. In some cases, acute severe fatal haemorrhage from either thoracic vessels or the diaphragmatic lesions was observed. Histopathology confirmed an acute event leading to the sudden death of affected animals, but also suggested a pre-existing chronic degenerative lesion of unknown aetiology affecting the diaphragmatic muscle. This case report suggests diaphragmatic lesions, with or without fatal thoracic haemorrhage, as a differential for respiratory distress or sudden death in young Texel sheep.

BackgroundThere are no large published studies of the prevalence of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) among UK populations.AimTo determine the prevalence of SAD among patients attending a general practitioner (GP).MethodPatients aged 16–64 consulting their GPs in Aberdeen during January were screened with the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ). SPAQs were also mailed to 600 matched patients, who had not consulted their GP during January. Surgery attenders who fulfilled SPAQ criteria for SAD were invited for interview to determine whether they met criteria for SAD in DSM–IVand the Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression– Seasonal Affective Disorder Version (SIGH–SAD).ResultsOf 6161 surgery attenders, 4557 (74%) completed a SPAQ; 442 (9.7%) were SPAQ cases of SAD. Rate of caseness on the SPAQ did not differ between surgery attenders and non-attenders. Of 223 interviewed SPAQ cases of SAD, 91 (41%) also fulfilled DSM–IVand SIGH–SAD criteria.ConclusionsThere is a high prevalence of SAD among patients attending their GPs in January in Aberdeen; this is likely to reflect a similar rate in the community.

SINCE the beginning of October, Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) regional laboratories and SAC disease surveillance centres have been investigating unusual incidents of clinical respiratory disease presentations in calves on four farms.

OVER the past decade we have seen cases of adult Holstein-Friesian cattle presented for postmortem examination with an acute fatal haemorrhage from a major artery. Since 2003, the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) has recorded 52 cases, with the greatest annual incidence in 2010 (16 cases), although increased awareness may be biasing recording. Only a small number of cases have been examined histologically because of the difficulty in identifying the site of rupture, and all those with aneurysmal change show arterial wall degeneration and chronic repair.

The most significant histopathological findings are in the bone marrow, which shows severe depletion of haematopoietic precursor cells consistent with the pancytopenia present antemortem. The aetiology of this disease remains a mystery at present; however, the possibility of some viral or toxic insult to the fetal bone marrow precursor cells occurring in late gestation is being considered.