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ASF cases in Belgium rise to 75
All confirmed cases have been found within existing restriction zones.
No cases yet seen in commercial or domestic pigs 

Belgium has seen confirmed cases of African swine fever in wild boar rise to 75, according to information received by the UK’s National Pig Association.

Wallonia’s minister of agriculture, René Collin, said last week that 126 boars had been tested, including 99 found in the 63,000-hectare security perimeter.

All confirmed cases have been found within existing restriction zones; while those found outside the security perimeter tested negative.

There have been no cases in domestic or commercial pigs, but a cull of 4,000 domestic pigs in the infected zone was completed earlier this month.

As a precaution, vets must take three blood samples to test for ASF when clinical signs or mortality is seen on commercial pig farms in Belgium.

NPA chief executive Dr Zoë Davies told MRCVSonline: “Of course we are all extremely concerned about the spread of ASF in Europe and in China, especially when large jumps are seen over many miles where meat infected with the disease is brought in and finds its way into the local pig population. It is alarming to see how easily it can happen.

“This is why the focus is on highlighting the risk of bringing pork products back to the UK to anyone who might be working in or visiting affected countries, to pig keepers, regardless of the number of pigs they have, to observe the ban on feeding food waste to pigs and to ask vets and keepers to become familiar with the signs and symptoms of ASF so that if the worst does happen and the disease arrives here, we can stamp it out as quickly as possible.”

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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
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.