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Volunteers receive Ebola medal for work in Sierra Leone
Microsope
The team had access to diagnostic laboratories set-up by Public Health England.
Awarded to military and civilian personnel 

Volunteers from the Animal Health and Plant Health Agency (APHA) have been bestowed the Ebola medal for their work in Sierra Leone.

The volunteers acted in response to a call from the Government, who issued a plea in October 2014 for experienced scientists to help with the mounting humanitarian crisis in West Africa.

In just one week the volunteers were trained and flown out to work in the country as part of a larger team of scientists and healthcare specialists.

Working at treatment centres at two British-built sites, the team had access to diagnostic laboratories set-up by Public Health England.

Chris Hadkiss, APHA chief executive, who presented some of the volunteers with their medals, commented:  “To volunteer to travel to an Ebola infected country, in support of the humanitarian work, was an incredibly selfless act and I commend everyone’s bravery and dedication.

“It is thanks to the efforts of all these volunteers, working alongside local healthcare workers that so many areas have been declared Ebola free and so many lives have been saved.”

Approved by Her Majesty The Queen, the Ebola medal was awarded to military and civilian personnel who supported the government’s response to the Ebola crisis that began in 2014.

Other recipients of the medal of the medal include doctors and nurses from the NHS, scientists and public health specialists, members of the civil service, non-governmental organisations and armed forces personnel.

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.