21/08/2006
Farmer killed by rabbit flu
A young farmer is believed to have become the first victim of rabbit flu in Britain.
John Freeman, 29, from Aspall, near Stowmarket in Suffolk, is understood to have become infected with the bacteria pasteurella multocida after picking up a rabbit on his farm.
His mother, Joan Freeman, said that she believed that he contracted the bacteria, which causes rabbit flu, through a blister on his thumb.
Doctors had initially thought that he had chickenpox because he had developed a rash on his body.
Mr Freeman's mother said that he fell ill the following day with a fever and died three days later on August 5.
A post-mortem revealed that he had died from septicaemia after becoming infected with the bacteria.
A Health Protection Agency spokesperson said that pasteurella multocida was known to be common among many domestic animals, including cats and dogs. However, he said that there were only a handful of cases of humans becoming infected with the disease and said that deaths were very rare.
(KMcA)
John Freeman, 29, from Aspall, near Stowmarket in Suffolk, is understood to have become infected with the bacteria pasteurella multocida after picking up a rabbit on his farm.
His mother, Joan Freeman, said that she believed that he contracted the bacteria, which causes rabbit flu, through a blister on his thumb.
Doctors had initially thought that he had chickenpox because he had developed a rash on his body.
Mr Freeman's mother said that he fell ill the following day with a fever and died three days later on August 5.
A post-mortem revealed that he had died from septicaemia after becoming infected with the bacteria.
A Health Protection Agency spokesperson said that pasteurella multocida was known to be common among many domestic animals, including cats and dogs. However, he said that there were only a handful of cases of humans becoming infected with the disease and said that deaths were very rare.
(KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 October 2014
RSPCA Report Pet Rabbit Found With Ears Cut Off
The RSPCA have reported that a stray rabbit found in Bradford appears to have had its ears removed with scissors. It is understood that the rabbit was found by a member of the public on Sunday near Dirkhill Road, who brought the stray animal to a vet.
RSPCA Report Pet Rabbit Found With Ears Cut Off
The RSPCA have reported that a stray rabbit found in Bradford appears to have had its ears removed with scissors. It is understood that the rabbit was found by a member of the public on Sunday near Dirkhill Road, who brought the stray animal to a vet.
05 April 2006
Rabbit cruelty man sentenced
A man who threw a rabbit into an alligator pool at a zoo has been given a six-month suspended jail sentence. Damien French, 20, was found guilty of animal cruelty at Llandudno Magistrates Court. The court heard how French had taken the rabbit from a petting section at the Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay, north Wales, last October.
Rabbit cruelty man sentenced
A man who threw a rabbit into an alligator pool at a zoo has been given a six-month suspended jail sentence. Damien French, 20, was found guilty of animal cruelty at Llandudno Magistrates Court. The court heard how French had taken the rabbit from a petting section at the Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay, north Wales, last October.
16 September 2014
Police And Crime Commissioner Resigns Over Rotherham Abuse
Shaun Wright, South Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, has resigned over the Rotherham child abuse scandal. Mr Wright had refused to step down despite growing calls for him to do so in the wake of a report on the extent of child abuse in Rotherham between 1997 and 2005. Mr Rotherham was head of child services in the town from 2005 to 2010.
Police And Crime Commissioner Resigns Over Rotherham Abuse
Shaun Wright, South Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, has resigned over the Rotherham child abuse scandal. Mr Wright had refused to step down despite growing calls for him to do so in the wake of a report on the extent of child abuse in Rotherham between 1997 and 2005. Mr Rotherham was head of child services in the town from 2005 to 2010.
23 May 2014
Police Federation Elects New Chairman
Current vice-chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales Steve White has been elected to the post of chairman of the Police Federation, which represents 126,000 rank and file officers.
Police Federation Elects New Chairman
Current vice-chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales Steve White has been elected to the post of chairman of the Police Federation, which represents 126,000 rank and file officers.
03 December 2012
Brits To Spend £8.5bn On Christmas Gifts
Brits are planning to spend an average of £325 per household on Christmas presents this year, according to new research. One in ten plan to spend over £600 on gifts for their friends and loved ones. The survey found 58%, the shopping has already begun in earnest with people stockpiling gifts since the beginning of November.
Brits To Spend £8.5bn On Christmas Gifts
Brits are planning to spend an average of £325 per household on Christmas presents this year, according to new research. One in ten plan to spend over £600 on gifts for their friends and loved ones. The survey found 58%, the shopping has already begun in earnest with people stockpiling gifts since the beginning of November.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.