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Four more bluetongue cases confirmed in England
A total of five cases have now been confirmed in England since the start of November.

Farmers are urged to remain vigilant.

Bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) has been confirmed in four more cows in Kent, bringing the total number of recent cases in England to five.

The four new cases are on two premises within the 10km Temporary Control Zone which was put in place earlier this month after the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the Pirbright Institute identified the first case on a farm near Canterbury.

The infected animals will be culled to reduce the risk of the disease spreading. The Temporary Control Zone remains in place.

According to APHA, there is no evidence that the virus is being spread by midges in the area.

The five cases in Great Britain follow an outbreak in the Netherlands of a new strain of BTV-3, which has spread across hundreds of farms since early September.

There is currently no effective vaccine against the new strain.

Chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss has urged farmers to remain vigilant and report any suspicions to APHA.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease and suspected cases must be reported immediately on 03000 200 301 in England or 03003 038 268 in Wales. In Scotland, possible cases should be reported to the local field services office.

Image © Shutterstock

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BSAVA partners with BVA Live 2026

News Story 1
 BSAVA is to partner with BVA Live (11-12 June 2026) to champion clinical research.

The organisation will be supporting BVA Live's Clinical Abstracts programme, showcasing selected abstracts of veterinary research throughout the event.

The clinical abstracts can be on any small animal veterinary subject, and must be based on research undertaken in industry, practice or academia. Abstracts can be presented in poster or oral formats.

Submissions will open on 15th December 2025, and close on 6th March 2026. You can register interest here. 

Click here for more...
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Nominations open for RCVS and VN Council elections

The nomination period for the 2026 RCVS Council and VN Council elections is now open, with three veterinary surgeon seats and two veterinary nurse seats available.

Prospective candidates can download an information pack and nomination form from the RCVS website. Individuals can nominate themselves for the elections, with the results to be announced in the spring.

Clare Paget, the recently appointed RCVS Registrar and elections returning officer, said: "If you want to play your part in influencing and moulding how the professions are regulated, and making key decisions on matters of great importance to your peers, the public and animal health and welfare, please consider standing for RCVS Council or VN Council next year."

Nominations close at 5pm on Saturday, 31 January 2026.