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Likely cause of mass Saiga die-off revealed
Saiga
Saiga are one of the most threatened species on the planet.

RVC professor presents his latest findings

A mystery illness that wiped out more than half the world's population of Saiga antelopes this year was most likely caused by haemorraghic septicaemia, according to the RVC's Professor Richard Kock.

The mass die-off in Kazakhstan is said to have begun in May this year, when tens of thousands of animals were found dead in just a matter of days. Now, the number of affected animals is said to be 250,000.

Saiga are one of the most threatened species on the planet, having suffered a 95 per cent decline in 15 years.

Following the mass deaths in May, the United Nations Environment Programme Convention on Migratory Species called an emergency conference to help restore the population.

Prof Kock was one of the first vets on the scene when the die-off began. Alongside a team supported by the National Environment Research Council, he is working with those in Kazakhstan to help understand these catastrophic deaths.

Presenting his findings, Prof Kock confirmed haemorraghic septicaemia to be the most likely culprit. But the question remains, what triggered this event across 160,000 square kilometres on the Kazakh steppe?

Prof Kock will continue to work alongside numerous organisations and authorities, providing expert opinions on how best to support and rebuild the Saiga population.

Image credit: Seilov - www.ulytautour.kz/Wikipedia/CC BY 3.0

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.