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A MYSTERY ILLNESS HAS KILLED 25 DOGS IN NORWAY IN

HEALTH

Norway’s dogs are being hit by a mystery illness

Dog owners have been warned to limit contact with other dogs as the result of a mystery illness which has affected hundreds of dogs in Norway in recent weeks. Currently, around 25 dogs have died as a result of the illness.

Norway's dogs are being hit by a mystery illness
DPA

Symptoms of the disease, bloody diarrhea, vomiting and fatigue, have showed in around 200 dogs, according to Norway’s Veterinary Institute. Though it’s important to note that these statistics are estimates, since Norway does not have a national register. 

 “What is a little strange with this illness is that it has struck quite a large number of otherwise healthy dogs in a short period of time and very swiftly,” according to Ann Margaret Grondahl a Norwegian food safety authority official.

What is the Disease?

Asle Haukaans, a spokesperson for the Veterinary Institute, told AFP “this doesn't necessarily mean that it's the same illness, as there are lots of illnesses that can lead to these kinds of symptoms in dogs”.

Though when autopsies were carried out on 10 dogs, each case revealed a severe intestinal infection. Five of the dogs experienced  “abnormally elevated levels” of two bacteria, Clostridium perfringens and Providencia alcalifaciens.

The Veterinary Institute has ruled out salmonella, Campylobacteria and the accidental consummation of rat poisoning. Meanwhile, several theories about the cause of the illness have been circulating on social media, such as a virus, a bacteria, food poisoning, or intentional poisoning. 

What do the authorities advise? 

Health authorities are warning owners to keep their dogs on a lead, and as a result of the mysterious outbreak,  many owners have stopped taking their pets to public areas and a number of dog shows and gatherings have been cancelled.

At the first sign of symptoms, dog owners are urged to bring their pets to a veterinarian. Whilst the illness has appeared mostly in greater Oslo, there have been a number of cases elsewhere in Norway. 

There is nothing to indicate at this stage that the illness can be transmitted to humans.

HEALTH

Are Danes cutting back on cigarettes and alcohol?

Danish stores sold a significantly lower quantity of alcohol and cigarettes over the counter last year, new data from Statistics Denmark show.

Are Danes cutting back on cigarettes and alcohol?

Some 3,852 cigarettes were sold year, which amounts to 804 per person over the age of 18. But that compares to a figures of 854 per person on 2022.

Cigarette sales in Denmark have been declining since 2018.

Sales of sprits, beer and wine fell by 7.8 percent, 5.3 percent and 0.9 percent respectively.

Danish business sold the equivalent of 44.4 million litres of pure alcohol, which works out at 11.9 units per week on average for each person over the age of 18.

Although that is a lower value than in 2022, it still exceeds the amount recommended by the Danish Health Authority (Sundhedsstyrelsen).

The Health Authority recommends that adults over 18 drink no more than 10 units per week and no more than four in a single day.

READ ALSO: Should Denmark raise the minimum age for buying alcohol?

“The numbers are still too high and it’s an average that could have a skewed distribution,” University of Southern Denmark professor, Janne Tholstrup, said in relation to the alcohol sales figures. Tholstrup has published research on Denmark’s alcohol culture.

That is in spite of a 30-year-trend of falling alcohol consumption, according to the professor.

“The majority of Danes stay under the recommended 10 unite per week. That means there is a large group with a persistently excessive consumption of alcohol,” she said.

The Statistics Denmark figures also show that sales of loose tobacco – such as the type used in roll-up cigarettes and pipes – also fell last year. Some 58 tonnes less were sold compared to 2022.

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