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Parts of London have higher TB rates than Iraq
skin test
TB is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is a particular risk to prisoners, homeless people and those with substance abuse issues.

New report urges the Mayor of London to take action
 
Parts of London have significantly higher TB rates than countries in the developing world, according to a new report by the London Assembly Health Committee.

Released this week, the report shows there were more than 2,500 new TB cases in the capital last year. This accounts for nearly 40 per cent of all cases in England.

Some boroughs have TB rates as high as 113 in every 100,000 people, which is far higher than countries  including Algeria, Rwanda, Iraq and Guatemala.

The report found that TB services are not equally accessible to all Londoners. For example, vaccination of newborn babies is not available in all boroughs, despite being recommended practice.

TB is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is a particular risk to prisoners, homeless people and those with substance abuse issues.

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, is being urged to lead the way in driving better measures of prevention and treatment in the capital. Recommendations include taking steps to educate the public more widely about this disease.

A recent survey commissioned by the London Assembly found that one in five Londoners did not know the symptoms of TB when given a list. The findings also confirm that the disease continues to be heavily stigmatised.

The report also calls for health services to standardise the control and management of TB across London. NHS London was urged to set out plans for ensuring BCG coverage across the city's boroughs by 2017.

Committee chair Onkar Sahota said: "The Mayor needs to take more responsibility for TB control in London. He is uniquely placed to drive forward measures for TB prevention, as well as better access to treatment.

"If we don't get a grip on London's TB situation now, the harder and more expensive it will be to tackle in the years to come. With pressures on health budgets, we can't afford to take our eye off the ball."

For the full report, see: https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/FINAL_TacklingTBinLondon_0.pdf

Image (c) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Public Health Image Library (PHIL)

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Annual submission deadline small pet animal exemptions

News Story 1
 Companies marketing medicines for small pets exempt from authorisation must submit their annual return to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) by 30 November 2026.

Submitting this annual return ensures continued compliance with regulatory requirements for products marketed without a full Marketing Authorisation. The exemption specifically applies to products intended for animals, cage birds, terrarium animals, small rodents, ferrets and rabbits.

For further details and submission guidelines, visit the gov.uk website.  

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Bluetongue RZ extended across Scotland

The Scottish Government has announced an extension to a Bluetongue Restricted Zone that is in place in south-west Scotland.

From 3 October, the Restricted Zone will be extended to cover the whole of Scotland. The Animal, Plant and Health Agency (APHA) says this is in response to further disease spread, as well as simplify trading conditions ahead of the autumn.

Since the whole country will share a disease status, it will no longer be necessary to have a movement license to move susceptible livestock around the country. Restrictions on germinal products remain.

As of 1 October 2026, there were 1,979 cases of BTV-3 in England, 389 cases in Wales and 40 cases in Scotland.