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African swine fever reaches China
The UK’s National Pig Association said the outbreak is ‘significant’, as China is home to more than half the global population of pigs.
Source of the outbreak currently unknown

An outbreak of African swine fever has been reported in China for the first time, authorities say.

Over 8,000 pigs have been killed and disposed of at the site of the outbreak in Shenyang, Liaoning, and a 3km epidemic zone around it.

A strict blockade, disinfection and movement controls are currently in place and epidemiological investigations were carried out in the whole Liaoning province. No new cases were found, out of 1.88 million live pigs screened.

The outbreak was reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), by Dr Zhang Zhongqui, director general at China’s Animal Disease Control Centre. The source of the outbreak is not yet known.

Responding to the news, the UK’s National Pig Association said the outbreak is ‘significant’, as China is home to more than half the global population of pigs.

Cases of African swine fever continue to be reported in wild boar and domestic pigs in Eastern Europe and western Eurasia.

The risk to the UK’s pig sector is considered to be ‘low’, according to the APHA’s latest assessment in June. However, a new assessment is expected in light of the latest outbreak in China, which will determine whether the risk level is raised.

Pig keepers and the public are urged to adhere to the swill feeding ban by not giving catering waste, kitchen scraps or pork products to pigs. Keepers should also ensure that visitors to their premises have not had recent contact with the affected regions and anyone returning from these areas should avoid contact with domestic pigs or areas with feral pigs or wild boar.

Suspect cases of ASF must be reported promptly.  

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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.