Animal Health News

Over the weekend, DEFRA confirmed several cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 across England and Wales. 

Field trials for a cattle vaccine and companion skin test for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) have moved to the next phase, APHA has just announced.

AIMS executive director, Dr Jason Aldiss BEM, has expressed serious concern at the continuing spread of bluetongue across Great Britain and the apparent lack of strategic coherence in the national response. 

Parasite experts say the 2025-26 season is following the trend for variable extent and timing of liver fluke challenge.

Farmers are being urged to consult their vets about vaccinating livestock against the growing threat of bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3), with the number of cases having more than doubled since early September. 

A recent survey by the Wales Veterinary Science Centre (WVSC) highlights the risk of serious losses to the sheep industry if iceberg diseases are not brought to the fore in disease management programmes. 

Livestock farmers have been urged to be extremely vigilant after two cases of bluetongue virus (BTV-3) were confirmed in Wales.

With ewe and ram sales in full swing, farmers are being reminded of the importance of effective quarantine protocols – not only to protect their existing flocks but also their new purchases.

Neogen’s range of cleaners and disinfectants is entering a new chapter as it becomes Quat Chem, part of the Kersia Group. 

The Food Standards Agency has released an update on the investigation into the botulism outbreak that resulted in the deaths of more than 700 cattle.

The Welsh and Scottish governments confirmed that, because lower temperatures are expected to prevent midges from spreading the bluetongue virus, movement restrictions on ruminants and camelids have been eased.

With the global pushback on antibiotic use and the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, proven non-antibiotic products are now more important than ever in livestock health, writes independent veterinary advisor for Provita, Dr Tom Barragry.