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Concerns over feline TB
Charity stresses low risk after media reports

Cats Protection has responded to recent reports in the media concerning cats and tuberculosis (TB), stressing that cases of humans becoming infected by cats are very rare.

The statement highlights figures from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), which report that only nine cats in the UK tested positive for Mycobacterium bovis in 2012.

"Many cats which have Mycobacterial infections have spontaneously-resolving skin lesions which are not a risk to people.

"Those cats which do have tuberculous Mycobacteria lesions are most commonly infected by a type of bacteria called Mycobacteria microti, which is caught from voles and is incredibly rare in people."

Further, the charity highlighted that there have been no reported cases of humans contracting TB from a cat, although rarely, cats have become infected with TB transmitted by humans.

Cat owners have been advised to seek veterinary advice is their cat is unwell or has a lump or wound.

"In 99% of such cases, the issue will not be due to any type of Mycobacterial infection, and rarer still to be caused by a type of Mycobacteria that can infect people," the charity says.

The Cat Group, which is made up of a group of cat welfare organisations, offers a policy statement on Mycobacterial disease in cats and man in the UK.

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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...
News Shorts
RCVS members invited to question Council candidates

RCVS members have been invited to submit questions to candidates for this year's RCVS Council election.

With 15 candidates standing for three available positions, vets have been invited to submit a question of their choosing before voting starts. These questions will be collated, with each candidate answering one question of their choice.

It is recommended that members read the candidates' biographies and statements before submitting questions. One question per member can be submitted to vetvote26@rcvs.org.uk before Wednesday, 25 February 2026.

The RCVS Council election is due to start in March.

With only two candidates for two positions on the VN Council, there will be no VN Council elections this year. Meghan Conroy RVN and Lauren Hargrave RVN will begin their three year terms at RCVS' AGM in July.