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Highly contagious bee disease found in Scotland
honeybees
The outbreak presents no risk to public health and does not affect the quality or safety of honey. (stock photo)
Keepers warned to be vigilant
 
An outbreak of the honeybee disease American foulbrood (AFB) has been confirmed in an apiary near Alyth, Perthshire.

The disease was confirmed on 15 July after laboratory analysis by Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA). As there is no permitted treatment for AFB in the UK, the infected hives are being destroyed.

AFB is a notifiable disease affecting honeybees. Highly contagious and difficult to eradicate, it is caused by a spore-forming bacterium called Paenibacillus larvae. Spores enter the larva through consumption of contaminated food. The bacteria kills the bee larva by consuming body tissues.

According to the Scottish Government, the outbreak presents no risk to public health and does not affect the quality or safety of honey.

Movement of bees and related equipment in and out of the affected apiary are under specific controls. This includes enhanced biosecurity measures and increased vigilance.

Bee keepers are urged to be vigilant for signs of the disease and to maintain good husbandry. Any suspicions should be reported to beesmailbox@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.

Sunken cappings on cells are a typical sign of AFB. When uncapped, they reveal dead larvae in various states of decomposition. The 'ropiness test' can also be used as an indication; when the larvae is drawn out it strings out rather than snapping off as it should.

To assist the Scottish government bee inspectors with controlling the disease, bee keepers are asked to register on BeeBase - the national bee database - by visiting https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/beebase/public/register.cfm or sending their contact details to BeesMailbox@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.

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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
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."