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Germany designates SBV a Notifiable Disease
UK to maintain current approach

The upper house of the German Parliament, the Bundesrat, has confirmed that the Schmallenberg Virus (SBV) will be designated a Notifiable Disease within German territory with immediate effect. Germany has been hit particularly hard by SBV, with 1120 confirmed cases detected thus far since the first case was found in the Schmallenberg region from which the virus draws its name.

SBV is already a Notifiable Disease in the neighbouring Netherlands, which shares the German definition of a Notifiable Disease whereby the local Heads of Inspection Authorities are charged to report any and all diagnosed cases of designated Notifiable Diseases within their respective jurisdictions. This is in contrast to the UK approach, whereby farmers, vets and other forms of responsible animal keepers are legally charged with reporting the disease instead.

A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has indicated that changing SBV's UK designation to Notifiable Disease status was not believed to be necessary in light of the ‘great response from farmers and the veterinary profession in voluntarily reporting suspected cases’.

A full breakdown of known cases in the UK and their location may be found at the AHVLA website.

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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.