Animal Health News

The discovery of a strain of avian influenza in a sheep for the first time should be a reminder to sheep keepers of the importance of biosecurity on holdings with poultry, said the National Sheep Association.

The National Pig Association has urged pig producers to make every effort to prevent an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) and to ensure they are prepared in case the virus does hit their own unit or one close by.

Three cases of foot-and-mouth disease have been confirmed close to the Slovakian and Hungarian border. The cases were identified in three separate premises housing cattle. 

The UK’s chief veterinary officer has confirmed a case of influenza of avian origin (H5N1) in a single sheep in Yorkshire following repeat positive milk testing.   

A livestock vet, John Hemingway from Shropshire Farm Vets, is urging farmers to mark and test any ewes that abort this year or to submit abortion material immediately for analysis to identify the cause and prevent further catastrophic losses. 

The UK government has introduced special measures to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), after a case was confirmed in Hungary.  

UK livestock producers are expected to be “hugely concerned” following confirmation of the foot-and-mouth disease in another European country. 

Elanco’s free Blowfly Watch service has re-launched to keep farmers informed of the risk of blowfly strike in their local area.

A Devon farmer who was forced to cull 5,000 hens following a bird flu outbreak on his farm is “overwhelmed” after people from around the world fundraised £35,000 for his business in less than a week.

Farmers in England and Wales are being urged to consult their vet about vaccinating their herd or flock against Bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) this spring as part of the new Battle Bluetongue campaign, which has been launched across the ruminant industry.

Welsh Ministers have agreed to licence three Bluetongue (BTV-3) vaccines for emergency use across Wales.

Suffolk-based Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm has recently raised a subject of open farms offering lamb cuddling activities.