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Fumes from a fish tank hospitalise 10
Chemicals were released from coral in the tank whilst it was being cleaned.
Chemical released from coral inside the tank

Fumes from a fish tank in Oxfordshire left 10 people in hospital on Monday evening.

According to BBC News, the chemicals were released from coral in the tank whilst it was being cleaned. An emergency response unit, including a hazardous area response team, attended the incident.

Scientist Dr Mike Leahy, who was in the area at the time, said on Twitter that the incident was likely to have been caused by “palytoxin” - one of the deadliest naturally occurring toxins in the world.

"In the main, they're absolutely harmless but sometimes if you stress certain types of coral, they can produce a toxin," he told the BBC.

Four firefighters and six family members were taken to hospital. A further three family members remained in hospital overnight after suffering eye irritation and contracting “flu-like symptoms”.

Firefighters in full body suits also removed two dogs from the house whilst the remaining coral was dealt with.

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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.