Vets express low confidence in UK disease outbreak preparedness
A survey reveals most UK vets doubt the profession's readiness for a major animal disease emergency, while a Washington State University resident shares his path into small animal internal medicine.
Two distinct stories highlight different facets of the veterinary world. A new survey from the British Veterinary Association reveals deep concerns within the UK profession about readiness for a national animal disease emergency. Separately, a resident veterinarian at Washington State University discusses his journey into small animal internal medicine and the rewards of tackling complex cases.
UK Vets Question Emergency Preparedness
A survey of UK veterinarians found that only 28% are confident the profession is prepared for a major animal disease outbreak, with a similar proportion confident in their personal readiness. The 'Voice of the Veterinary Profession' survey, conducted by the British Veterinary Association, also showed that eight in 10 vets are willing to support a national response during a crisis.
Vets identified several key barriers to their preparedness. A lack of training was the most cited issue, mentioned by 63.5% of respondents. Other significant obstacles included lack of time (48%), an unclear process for involvement (46%), employer release from normal duties (44%), and a lack of confidence working with unfamiliar species or diseases (40%). To address these concerns, the BVA will host a session titled 'When crisis hits: A practical guide to the vet's role in national emergencies' at the London Vet Show on November 19th. The panel will be chaired by veterinarian and MP Danny Chambers and will include experts like former Wales chief veterinary officer Christianne Glossop.
The session will consider outbreak scenarios such as rabies and foot-and-mouth disease, exploring how responsibilities are shared between government, local authorities, and veterinary professionals. BVA president Dr. Gwen Rees stated, 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. Disease preparedness will also be the focus of the Wooldridge Memorial Lecture at the BVA Congress, where Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam will discuss lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic for animal disease response.
A Resident's Path to Internal Medicine
Dr. Minchan Kim is a resident veterinarian in small animal internal medicine at the Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Residents are doctors who have completed veterinary school and are now pursuing advanced specialty training through hands-on care and clinical education under board-certified faculty.
Originally from Busan, South Korea, Kim earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Gyeongsang National University. His interest in internal medicine was shaped by three years of service in the Korean Army, where his job was to control infectious diseases, including managing efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2023. He said this experience directly sparked his interest in infectious diseases, which are a key part of internal medicine. He was further drawn to the specialty during his internship, observing that "internists were the doctors closest to the answer" for the most complicated and mysterious cases.
Kim's typical day varies, but on outpatient weeks he starts with rounds before seeing patients with assigned students. Together, they review findings and work through problem lists and diagnostic plans. He finds the dual role of an academic residency particularly rewarding, stating that seeing a fourth-year student improve during a rotation makes him "as happy as when I see a patient get better." While he has followed many complex patients for over a year, one case that has stuck with him is Ruth, a three-year-old goldendoodle with a fungal infection. He treated her three times a week for a month, and though she is not yet cured, she is still fighting the infection.
