On 16 September 2020, Dutch public health authorities reported the first animal, a warbler, that has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) in the Netherlands (Utrecht region). Warblers are migratory birds, but because this warbler was tested positive in late summer, it is very likely that it contracted WNV in the Netherlands. The same bird was also caught in the spring and had tested negative. Defra has said that it will review its risk assessments, but that this finding does mean that WNV

Internationally renowned Thai equine vet Dr Siraya Chunekamrai is calling for urgent help to to contain a lethal outbreak of African Horse Sickness (AHS) that has already killed 500 horses in Thailand and has the potential to kill thousands more. Dr Chunekamrai, Chair of the the Lampang Pony Welfare Foundation, and Vice President of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, is treating many affected animals and leading urgent vaccination efforts by equine veterinary volunteers in the countr

Vets and equine care professionals are being urged to get behind the first Strangles Awareness Week to help eradicate the stigma around the disease. The new national week of action was announced at last month’s National Equine Forum and will go ahead as planned between 4th and 10th May. The initiative, which has received the backing of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA), has been organised through a unique collaboration between the Animal Health Trust, the British Horse Society, Ke