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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 12th September 2024
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First bluetongue cases confirmed in Lincolnshire
More than 40 premises in England have now been affected by the virus.
Temporary control zone has been extended.

Three cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) has been confirmed in north east Lincolnshire following surveillance in the East Riding of Yorkshire temporary control zone (TCZ).

The first case was confirmed on 10 September, followed by two further cases on 11 September. In response, the Animal and Plant Health Agency has extended the TCZ in the area.

On 11 September, a case was also identified in Essex within the restricted zone that covers Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and part of Greater London.

In total, cases have been confirmed on 41 premises in England during the current vector season. The first case was confirmed on 26 August.

The secretary of state for for environment, food and rural affairs recently permitted the use of three unauthorised vaccines for BTV-3 under licence. The vaccines reduce symptoms of the virus, rather than prevent it, meaning that any movement restrictions in force will still apply to vaccinated animals.

The virus is also continuing to spread in mainland Europe. Switzerland reported its first cases of BTV-3 on 30 August and cases have continued to be detected across the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. The disease has continued to spread in France and Denmark after their first cases of BTV-3 were detected earlier this year.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK’s chief veterinary officer, said: “I urge farmers to contact their veterinarians if they wish to use the vaccines and to continue monitoring their animals frequently for clinical signs and report suspicion of disease immediately to the Animal [and] Plant Health Agency.”

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Suspected cases must be reported on 03000 200 301 in England or 03003 038 268 in Wales. In Scotland, suspected cases should be reported to the local field services office.

A map of the areas where restrictions apply can be found here.

Image © Shutterstock

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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."