Disease surveillance in England and Wales

This issue of Veterinary Record introduces a new look for the monthly disease surveillance report for England and Wales from the APHA. The format and content has been changed to provide a report that brings together data and information from different sources of government-funded and other veterinary scanning surveillance activity. This first report in the new format considers current issues, such as actions to prevent porcine epidemic diarrhea and what to do if it is suspected, and provides an update on international disease threats, such as bluetongue and avian influenza. It also discusses the seasonal impact of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in pig herds, and guidance for laboratory investigation of ovine abortion/stillbirths. Highlights from the scanning surveillance network for November/December 2015 are reported and, on p 43, a separate article describes the work of the Veterinary Risk Group.