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AFSCAN announces educational initiative in Africa
"Working together, we will advance the veterinary profession across Africa and, in so doing, improve the lives of millions of animals and humans."
Project aims to advance standards of veterinary care across Africa

The Board of the African Small Companion Animal Network (AFSCAN) has launched a distance learning educational program and has set out plans for the creation of five new veterinary associations in Africa.

AFSCAN, an initiative from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, aims to advance standards of veterinary care across Africa through facilitating the creation of a sustainable network of companion animal veterinarians, associations and specialist groups in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The project was launched during a meeting of the AFSCAN board which took place during the WSAVA World Congress in Cape Town, South Africa, in September 2014.  

The programme provides access to a range of online learning resources, on computers and internet-connected devices which have been donated by UK veterinary practices.

Veterinary associations have also been set up in Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda. It is hoped that the first of them will receive WSAVA membership at the WSAVA World Congress, in May 2015.

Dr Gabriel Varga, Chairman of the AFSCAN Board, said:  "In the six months since AFSCAN was launched, we have built a committed community of  experts and partner organisations who share our goals.  We are very grateful to them all for their support.  

"Working together, we will advance the veterinary profession across Africa and, in so doing, improve the lives of millions of animals and humans.  With the foundations of our work now firmly in place, we are looking forward to working towards our goals in the months ahead."

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
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RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.