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Beachgoers urged to report dead birds
Nearly 70 UK bird species have been affected by the outbreak.
Thousands of seabirds suspected to have died from avian flu this year.

As people visit the coast this summer, avian influenza experts are urging the public to help them monitor the spread of the disease by reporting any dead or sick bird they see to Defra (or DAERA in Northern Ireland) and to log the sighting on the BirdTrack app.

It comes as large numbers of seabirds are being reported found washed up on beaches as the outbreak of avian influenza which began in the UK in 2021 continues to significantly affect wild bird populations. Almost 70 UK bird species have tested positive, according to the RSPB.

In recent weeks, hundreds of dead seabirds, mostly guillemots, but also some razorbills and gannets, have been washed up on the Pembrokeshire coast. Testing from a sample of the birds confirmed avian influenza.

It is a story that is being repeated around the coastline of the UK. Last week, NatureScot recorded the deaths of 1,443 guillemots, 1,570 kittiwakes and 236 herring gulls suspected to have been caused by the virus.

Members of the public should not handle dead or sick birds, but report any that they see. Once reported, Defra or DAERA will decide whether to collect the dead bird for testing and researchers will use the data from BirdTrack to study the geographical spread of the disease.

Dawn Balmer, the British Trust for Ornithology’s head of surveys, said: “As our beaches get busier over the summer holidays, do look out for dead birds, report them and keep your dogs on leads and away from carcasses. It’s devastating to see the impact of avian influenza again this year. You can help us monitor the situation by continuing to report dead birds to Defra (GB) and DAERA (NI), and also to BirdTrack.”

Nick Ward, Natural England’s principal advisor for highly pathogenic avian influenza, added: “Avian influenza has again had a big impact on many of our important seabird colonies in England affecting chicks and adults in different proportions. Future monitoring will be crucial for assessing the lasting effects of these mortality events.”

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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."