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Study highlights risks of evolving swine flu viruses
"The findings from this paper highlight the value of international research collaborations in identifying influenza virus risk" - Katy Shaw Saliba.

The findings raise the critical need for pandemic preparedness. 

A new study by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has revealed significant and antigenic diversity in European swine influenza, reinforcing the need for pandemic preparedness and vaccine effectiveness.

Researchers examined swine flu virus data from 2010 to 2020, with European partners, teams in the USA and Taiwan and The Animal and Plant Health Agency. The team also tested the immune responses to a variety of swine influenza variants. 

Key findings show that extensive variation in circulating swine influenza viruses could have implications for vaccine updates in both pigs and pandemic preparedness.

The study also revealed that evolving flu strains could reduce the effectiveness of existing vaccines, while variable human immunity to swine flu variants could pose serious pandemic threats.

The findings, published in the Journal of Virology, highlight the need to continually update pig vaccines and pandemic preparedness plans.

Amelia Coggon, a PhD student at the RVC, said: “Our study has high relevance to pandemic preparedness and swine flu vaccination. By better monitoring how these viruses evolve, we can ensure vaccines used in pigs remain effective, reducing production losses as well as reducing the risk of human infection.

“It also highlights the critical role of international collaboration and ongoing surveillance for zoonotic diseases. Just because we stop looking, it doesn’t mean these viruses disappear. Protecting human health begins with investing in animal health, and that means sustained, cross-sector funding - especially for diseases with pandemic potential.”

Katy Shaw Saliba, co-author of the paper and formerly of the JHCEIRS project, added: "Here, the diversity of the influenza virus in European swine and its serological cross-protection with human antisera was quantified, allowing for an understanding of which viruses could pose greater risk for animal and human health.

"The findings from this paper highlight the value of international research collaborations in identifying influenza virus risk."

Image (C) 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. 

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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."