Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Two avian influenza cases confirmed in Norfolk
H5N8 avian influenza has been confirmed in Norfolk.

Highly pathogenic H5N8 identified at two turkey-rearing farms.

There were two new confirmed cases of avian influenza over the weekend in Norfolk, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in poultry and captive birds in the UK to nine.

According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the birds tested positive for highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza.

A 3km Protection and 10km Surveillance Zone has been placed around the infected turkey farms - one located near Attleborough and the other near King's Lynn. Defra said that all birds on the infected farms will be humanely culled to prevent further spread of the disease.

According to the Eastern Daily Press, this is the first time the highly pathogenic strain has been confirmed in Norfolk since 2017.

It follows an announcement from the UK's chief veterinary officers that all bird keepers will be legally required to keep their birds indoors from the 14 December.

This decision runs alongside the current AIPZ measures that were introduced last month following several confirmed cases in captive and wild birds.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."