The lockdown measures put in place in March 2020 in England to counter the spread of the coronavirus have had significant implications for the lives and well‐being of young carers and young adult carers. In such unprecedented times, little was known about the potential impact on this group and their specific experience of the Covid‐19 lockdown restrictions. A rapid review was conducted, 28 young carers responded to a survey and an additional 20 participants were interviewed in January 2021; the survey was repeated with a further 149 responses. Findings show that the level of care that young carers are required to provide had increased as external agency support for their families had been withdrawn while their own coping strategies had been challenged, in particular through school closures. These restrictions had a significant impact on every aspect of their lives, from their ability to meet their own mental health needs to managing the requirements of home schooling. The needs of young carers should be acknowledged within the political agenda, especially at times of crisis. It is crucial that health and social care services increase their capacity to identify and support young carers and that work is done within educational settings to provide a flexible response to individual needs.

Summary One hundred and nine breeding bulls were examined during the period November 1992 to June 1993 on farms in south west Scotland for evidence of infectious diseases associated with breeding. Preputial washings were collected to screen for Campylobacter fetus venerialis, together with serial blood samples to assess their seroprevalence to Bovine Virus Diarrhoca virus (BVDv), Bovine Herpes Virus‐1 (BHV‐1), Leptospira hardjo and Bovine Herpes Virus‐4 (BHV‐4). The possible impact of natural mating on the epidemiology of these diseases is described. Evidence of infections with Campylobacter fetus and BVH‐4 were not found in this sample. The overall seroprevalence to BVDv was 78%, for BHV‐1 49%, and L. bardjo 27% at titres of ≥ 1/400. This study shows that bulls may be responsible for the introduction and dissemination of these diseases when moved from farm to farm as part of normal cattle breeding in this area. Young unproven bulls may be particularly susceptible to endemic diseases associated with lowered reproductive performance.

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Background: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is a major endemic pig disease worldwide and is associated with considerable economic costs. Methods: In Scotland, three abattoir surveys were conducted in 2006 (158 farms), 2012-2013 (94 farms) and 2017-2018 (97 farms) to estimate seroprevalence to PRRS virus (PRRSV) in commercial finishing pigs. These surveys covered around 79%, 59% and 66% of the Quality Meat Scotland assured farms slaughtering pigs in Scotland in 2006Scotland in , 2012Scotland in -13 and, 2017 respectively. In the 2006 survey, six pigs per farm were sampled and tested using the CIVTEST SUIS PRRS E/S test. In the 2012-2013 and 2017-2018 surveys, 10 pigs per farm were sampled and tested using the IDEXX PRRS X3 Ab test. A farm was considered positive if it had one or more seropositive samples.