GB Emerging Threats Report: Safeguarding Public and Animal Health - Avian Diseases

No emerging disease threats are reported in this report, previously known as the UK Poultry Disease Quarterly Surveillance Report from the VLA. This report covers the period October to December 2010. Unusual events reorted include Salmonella pullorum in a hobby chicken breeding flock and lead poisoning in ducks.

17 April 2011

3 minute read

Quarterly Surveillance Report Poultry: Volume 14. No. 4
October to December 2010
Published April 2011

Contents
- Introduction to GB report
- New & emerging diseases
- Ongoing new & emerging disease investigations
- Unusual diagnoses
- Changes in disease patterns, industry and risk factors

Highlights

Submission trends

Severe winter weather conditions amongst other factors leading to a decrease of 18 per cent in the total number of avian diagnostic submissions received by the VLA and SAC compared with Q4-2009, and a 29 per cent decrease in the total number of poultry carcases examined. However, there was a six per cent increase in avian diagnostic submissions and a 13 per cent rise in the total number of poultry carcasses examined in 2010 compared with 2009.

New and emerging diseases

No new and emerging avian diseases identified from analysis of available scanning surveillance data. Infectious coryza and European IBV QX investigations were completed. Information about the clinical features, epidemiology, risks and control of both diseases published.

Unusual diagnoses

Seasonal respiratory disease investigated in adult pheasants - an ‘autumn cough’ syndrome with ORT involvement.

Changes in patterns and industry

Production costs, including feed and bird prices continue to rise, pressurising margins. This is a particular problem for the layer sector where over-supply of eggs has led to falling prices. The severe winter conditions also negatively impacted commercial poultry producers.