There will be a wild badger cull in England.
The new Conservative Liberal coalition government has said the vaccination programme isn’t enough so badgers in TB hotspots will be killed. Culling badgers to control Bovine TB in dairy cattle is controversial with many farmers facing increased incidence of TB reactors in cattle supporting a cull, and wildlife conservationists pointing out that culling badgers is not effective anyway. New DEFRA farm minister Jim Paice, Conservative MP for South East Cambridgeshire has confirmed that badgers will be culled in England to combat bovine tuberculosis in cattle. A targeted cull of badgers will take place once the right “hot spot” locations have been identified. The Badger Trust opposes culling, which they say would be in reality an unselected slaughter. The badger is one of Britain’s best loved and iconic animals and as such is part of our National Heritage. They are a poignant symbol of the British countryside and a protected species. On culling badgers, Trust chairman Dave Williams says “The overwhelming scientific evidence and research shows that it is not the way to control bovine TB It has been tried for many years in one form or another, and it has never worked.” Badger Creative Commons Badger photo by Andreas-photography

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Swine Flu Outbreak in Mexico and the US An outbreak of a new strain of Swine Flu has broken out in Mexico, infecting around 1,000 people killing at least 62 so far. The flu virus has been identified as an H1N1 strain. While any new flu strain has the potential of causing a world pandemic, this one is being watched very carefully by the World Health Organisation. “This is highly contagious, it can be fatal and it has pandemic properties,” said Mexico’s health secretary, Jose Angel Cordova, on national television, advising people to stay in their homes if possible, keep away from public places and avoid physical contact. But middle class Mexicans are starting to flee from the city already if they possibly can. There have also been four cases in San Diago, California which appear to be the same H1N1 strain as the flu virus in Mexico. Although known as swine flu, the strain designated H1N1 actually has features of pig, avian and human viruses combined. In Mexico City, museums and theatres have been closed, rock concerts cancelled and the weekend football game in the giant 100,000 capacity Aztec football stadium was played in front of empty seats. (CNN) The presence of swine flu in Mexico and the United States is “a serious situation” that could develop into a pandemic, the World Health Organization’s director-general said on Saturday 25th April 2009. “This is an animal strain of the H1N1 virus and it has pandemic potential because it is infecting people,” Dr. Margaret Chan said Saturday speaking to reporters by phone. Swine Flu Symptoms Symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, coughing and a lack of appetite. People can avoid spreading the disease by covering coughs and sneezes and washing hands frequently. Avoiding physical contact with others would also be a good idea.

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