BVA Congress: Is the vet profession ready for a major animal disease outbreak?

Vets in the UK are keen to help if a major animal disease outbreak hits, but many don’t feel ready, according to our latest survey.

In our Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey, 8 in 10 members who responded said they are willing to support a national response during a time of crisis, for example through Temporary Veterinary Inspector work. However, only 28% feel confident that the profession is prepared for a major animal disease outbreak, and only a similar proportion are confident in their personal preparedness for such a situation.

Members told us that there were several barriers to their preparedness. Lack of training emerged as the most commonly reported barrier, cited by 63.5% of respondents, followed by time (48%), an unclear process (46%), employer release (44%), and a lack of confidence working with unfamiliar species or disease (40%).

At the BVA Congress at the London Vet Show later this month, we will explore this issue in detail in When crisis hits: A practical guide to the vet's role in national emergencies. In a year when we’ve seen the country’s worst-ever bluetongue outbreak, it is timely and relevant to have this important discussion about our profession’s readiness to tackle a major notifiable disease emergency.

Vet and MP Danny Chambers will chair the session, joined by independent veterinary consultant and former Wales Chief Veterinary Officer Christianne Glossop; David Black, Senior Director, Paragon Veterinary Group and Senior Vice President of the British Cattle Veterinary Association; and Chair of Trustees for Mission Rabies UK Ian Battersby.

Drawing on experience from the front line, the panel will consider scenarios such as rabies and foot and mouth disease outbreaks, the discussion will look beyond the immediate clinical response to explore how responsibilities are shared between government, local authorities and the veterinary profession, alongside the ethical and emotional demands of emergency work.

We’d encourage colleagues across the profession to come along to this session.

When crisis hits: A practical guide to the vet's role in national emergencies takes place at BVA Congress, London Vet Show, on 19 November from 10:30am to 11.30am.

Disease preparedness will also be in the spotlight at this year's prestigious Wooldridge Memorial Lecture at BVA Congress. In his lecture, Is the UK ready for major disease outbreak: Lessons in science, politics, and leadership from Covid-19, Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam, former Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England during the Covid-19 pandemic, will draw on his experience responding to the pandemic to discuss how the UK Government and the veterinary profession can prepare and respond effectively to the next major animal disease outbreak.

If you are a BVA member, you can book your tickets for London Vet Show for £467, saving 15 per cent off the lowest advertised rate for the event. You can find the full two-day programme of sessions for BVA Congress and book your member discounted tickets here.