Endemic and Emerging Animal Diseases in the UK
With the BSVP Autumn Meeting just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to look back and reflect on our Spring Meeting, which took place on 7 June 2025 at the University of Bristol Veterinary School. The meeting, organised with the help of Dr. Benedetta Amato, brought together veterinary pathologists, researchers, and clinicians to explore Endemic and Emerging Animal Diseases in the UK, spanning avian, livestock, and companion animal species.
The day began with a warm welcome, followed by an engaging session on Bluetongue: An Unpredictable Disease That Continually Surprises, presented by Dr. Andrea Palombieri, representative from IZS Teramo, WOAH Reference Laboratory. Delegates gained valuable insights into the challenges of predicting and managing Bluetongue outbreaks in the UK.
Dr. Alejandro Nuñez (APHA) shared a UK pathologist’s perspective on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAIV) in Birds and Mammals, highlighting recent cases and diagnostic considerations. This was followed by Elizabeth Bruno-McClung (APHA) discussing the work of the Small Animal Expert Group in Detecting New and Re-emerging Threats in Great Britain’s Pet Population, emphasising the critical role of surveillance in companion animals.
The afternoon sessions continued with Dr Fabrizio De Massis (IZS Teramo) presenting Brucella Canis: From Neglected Disease to Emerging Zoonotic Risk, detailing the development of a One Health toolkit for outbreak management. Dr Connor O’Halloran (University of Edinburgh) and Dr. Melanie Dobromylskyj (Finn Pathologists) explored Mycobacterial Infections: One Health, Many Challenges, covering veterinary, zoonotic, and public health implications in cats and dogs.
Trainee Bursary Presentation
We were delighted to award the BSVP bursary to Bert De Jonge, a resident from the Royal Veterinary College. Bert presented his investigation into a suspected pyrrolizidine alkaloid toxicity outbreak in two organic beef cattle farms in the south of England, offering fascinating insights into the impact of plant toxins on livestock health.
Acknowledgements
The BSVP extends heartfelt thanks to Dr. Benedetta Amato for her support as scientific organiser, to the University of Bristol, and to all our speakers and delegates for making the Spring Meeting such a success. As we look forward to the Autumn Meeting, it’s wonderful to reflect on the expertise, collaboration, and lively discussions that make these events so valuable to the veterinary pathology community.
We can’t wait to welcome you to the BSVP Autumn Meeting later this year, where we’ll continue exploring the latest challenges, advances, and discoveries in veterinary pathology. For more information, please follow this link: BSVP Autumn 2025 Meeting, Nottingham
