News

Over the last few weeks APHA have been made aware of increasing reports of tick-borne disease cases in cattle and sheep. We have heard from practitioners in areas not typically associated with tick borne disease, seeing outbreaks on newly affected farms, some of which have high morbidity and/or mortality rates. This has especially been true for tick borne fever and babesiosis in cattle herds. Practitioners across GB should be aware of the clinical signs of tick-borne diseases (tick borne fever, babesiosis, louping ill, tick pyaemia) as it is likely that the geographical distribution of infection will continue to evolve with climatic and land use chan

Today (Monday 12th May) RUMA has launched a vaccines survey designed to gather insights from vets, farmers and SQPs about the vaccines shortages that have been a growing source of concern for UK livestock sectors over recent years

To mark World Animal Vaccination Day (20 April 2025) and World Immunisation Week (24–30 April 2025), NOAH is stepping up promotion of the NOAH Livestock Vaccination Guideline – practical resource to support responsible vaccination and proactive animal health planning on UK dairy, beef, and sheep farms.

Nine years since the publication of its landmark Animal Welfare Strategy, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) celebrates major steps forward in animal welfare and details a new set of priorities in its new report, ‘BVA Animal Welfare Strategy – Evaluation and Next Steps’.

Moredun have developed a new generation vaccine against louping ill virus (LIV) in sheep. Although this tick-borne viral disease can infect many species, including cattle, horses, dogs and humans, it is particularly devastating to sheep and red grouse. Since the withdrawal of the previous LIV vaccine in 2017 and the increase in tick prevalence and spread, LIV has been increasing and moving into new areas. This has caused the sheep industry huge problems, as where the virus is first encountered sheep flocks can be seriously affected, losing up to 50% of their animals.

The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed a case of influenza of avian origin (H5N1) in a single sheep in Yorkshire following repeat positive milk testing.

Scanning and lambing are stressful, busy times for vets and farmers, even more so when things go wrong. At these times it is still imperative to use evidence to guide our thinking and actions. The Bluetongue (BTV) and Schmallenberg (SBV) viruses have dominated so much of our thoughts and conversations in the last few months. Even so, where they are suspected, testing for these viruses is essential, not only for national surveillance purposes, but also for animal health and welfare.

This study is a repeat of a survey we ran at the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Science and Medicine during the initial outbreak of Schmallenberg virus in Europe in 2012/13 and again during the outbreaks in 2017 and 2023. The 2017 study is available at this url (open access): https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1136/vr.104866 .

DEFRA have urged vets and livestock keepers to be vigilant in looking out for signs of foot and mouth (FMD) after the recent outbreak in Hungary:

From today (Tuesday 26th Februrary) livestock farmers can apply for funding for both the animal health and welfare review and the endemic disease follow-up for more than one Pathway eligible species. This was trailed in the Secretary of State’s speech to the NFU conference yesterday and is now live.

Speaking at the British Veterinary Association’s (BVA) annual Westminster Dinner last night (Wednesday 26 February), addressing members of the veterinary profession, MPs and peers – including Daniel Zeichner MP, Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs – BVA President Dr. Elizabeth Mullineaux welcomed the Government’s ongoing engagement with the profession over the urgent need to reform the ‘outdated’ Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. She also called for regulation of practices, recognition of allied professionals and legal protection for the veterinary nurse title.

Welsh Ministers have agreed to licence three Bluetongue (BTV-3) vaccines for emergency use across Wales, in line with a request from farming industry representatives.