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Aujeszky’s disease identified in southern France
Pigs are the natural host for Aujeszky’s disease.

Disease confirmed in five domestic pigs

A disease that is fatal in piglets less than seven days old has been confirmed in southern France, with wild boar believed to be the source of the outbreak.

Reporting on its website, the National Pig Association (NPA) said two outbreaks of Aujeszky’s disease have been identified in domestic pigs in Saint Martin les Eaux and Monteux.

The disease, also known as pseudorabies, was confirmed in five animals, and more than 800 pigs are considered to be ‘susceptible’ across the two units.

An update from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) notes that the ‘source of the first outbreak seems to be in contact with wild boars'. It adds that ‘the second farm is epidemiologically linked to the first outbreak’ through the purchase of fattening pork.

To control the spread of the disease, various control measures have been applied, including movement controls, increased surveillance and tracking of animals that may be affected. The NPA adds that the slaughter of potentially infected animals and zoning are ‘to be applied’.

Pigs are the natural host for Aujeszky’s disease, although it can also affect pigs, sheep, cattle, dogs, cats and rats. The virus is fatal in piglets under seven days old, but mortality rates decline as pigs get older.

Until the 1960s, Aujeszky’s disease had not existed widely outside Eastern Europe, but by 1989 had been confirmed in 43 countries.

The disease was first recorded in the UK in 1979 and the last in 1989, which resulted in 1,373 animals being slaughtered. The UK was declared free of the virus in 1991. 

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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
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.