Defra, UK - Animal health and welfare - Disease surveillance and control

Animal disease

Vigilance and good stockmanship are vital in the fight against animal disease. Monitoring animals for signs of disease, and following good farming practices are essential ways of reducing the risk of disease and preventing the spread of disease during an outbreak.

Defra’s Give Disease the Boot campaign provides livestock owners and veterinarians with information on a range of diseases and advice on how best to protect the health of their animals and the health of the farming industry.

This is your gateway to information on animal disease - what you can do to minimise the risk and information on the diseases you must report.

Information to help prevent disease

Be vigilant - know how to spot signs of disease from avian influenza and bluetongue to rabies and scrapie.
Prevent disease - the latest information on how to prevent disease through good farming practices.
Practice rapid reporting - there are some animal diseases that must be reported by law. If you suspect these diseases, you must act and immediately notify your local Animal Health Divisional Office.
Livestock Market Roadshow - talk face-to-face and get advice from Defra representatives at livestock markets across England.
Zoonoses - find out which animal diseases may have implications for human health.
Endemic diseases - full details on diseases typically present in the UK.
Monitoring disease abroad - Defra monitors disease outbreaks around the world and reports on the latest developments and risks.
UK veterinary surveillance - find out how Defra works with partners to provide warnings and rapid detection of UK disease threats.