A species of mosquito suspected of transmitting West Nile Virus to humans in Europe has been discovered in the marshes of north Kent and south Essex. West Nile virus (WNV) lives primarily in birds. Humans and horses occasionally catch it from the bite of a mosquito that has previously fed on an infected bird or animal. Though it can cause severe disease, most infections are mild or produce no symptoms. The mosquito, known only by its Latin name Culex modestus, can transmit WNV because it regularly bites both birds and mammals.  WNV has never been found in the UK and there is no known current risk to humans. Cx. modestus has not been seen in the UK since 1945, when only a handful were recorded. The mosquitoes were found by Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) and University of Oxford post-graduate student, Nick Golding.  'It is unclear how long {Culex modestus} has been breeding in the UK - the new specimens were found during field studies in 2010 and 2011 - but it seems likely that the species ha ...

Put your questions to the RCVS at "Question Time"

Updated Briefing notes from VMD

Revised guide available both online and in hard copy

    The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has broadly welcomed the European Commission's new Animal Welfare Strategy but urges the Commission to ensure robust implementation and enforcement of existing and proposed measures to improve animal welfare in the European Union.  The BVA also expressed disappointment that there is no reference to welfare guidance for dairy cattle and that there is a lack of measures relating to companion animals.   Lack of enforcement of EU legislation by Member States is seen as a major issue adversely affecting animal welfare in the EU, as is the lack of sufficient economic incentives for compliance.  Another gap is the lack of sufficient knowledge about welfare amongst many of those who handle animals.  The new four-year strategy (2012-2015) adopted by the European Commission aims to address these issues by setting up a comprehensive animal welfare legislative framework focussing on welfare outcomes and on the education of all concerned parties as well as the reinforcement of ...