UK Poultry Disease Surveillance Report - May 2004 - By Veterinary Laboratories Agency - This report monitors trends in the major endemic poultry diseases and utilises the farmfile and VIDA (Veterinary Investigation Disease Analysis) databases. The report is compiled using disease data gathered by the network of 15 VLA regional laboratories which carry out disease investigation in the field.

Quarterly Surveillance Report Poultry: Vol. 8 No. 1 Jan - Mar 2004 - Published May 2004 Contents OVERVIEW (here) POULTRY STATISTICS NOTIFIABLE DISEASES: - Submissions to the EU reference laboratory -Imported Captive Birds -Fowl Cholera FOOD SAFETY AND ZOONOSES: - Food Safety -Salmonella Report -Non-Statutory Zoonoses ENDEMIC/NEW AND EMERGING DISEASE SURVEILLANCE: - Virology Report -Egg drop and production losses in layer flocks associated with IB variants production losses associated with an IB variant in broiler breeders -Gizzard erosion and ulceration in broilers -Update on histomoniasis (blackhead) -Avian Mycoplasma identification in the VLA -Broiler topics –Unevenness in broilers -In the UK - IBD – Gumboro Disease Appendix I – VLA Bury hisopathology submission Appendix II – Lasswade diagnostic poultry submission

Highlights

• PRODUCTION LOSSES ASSOCIATED WITH IB VARIANTS (PAGES 5-6)
• GIZZARD EROSION IN BROILERS . POSSIBLE ASSOCIATION WITH ADENOVIRUS INFECTION (PAGE 6)
• COMMENTS ON UNEVENNESS IN BROILERS (PAGE 7)
• UPDATE ON IBD (PAGE 7)
• NO REPORTS OF HISTOMONIASIS (BLACKHEAD) IN TURKEYS DURING THE QUARTER

Overview

OVERVIEW There was a slight increase in commercial broiler placings in the UK compared with the same quarter last year and also an increase in broiler parent placings. However, broiler margins are being squeezed at present as a result of both competition and increased feed (cereal) prices. Turkey poult placings are at a higher level than the same quarter last year and commercial layer chick placings from UK hatcheries are continuing the rise seen last year (poultry statistics page 2).

The overall health status of the industry remains reasonably good. This report provides updates on some of the current health issues affecting the industry including IB variants in layers, gizzard erosion in broilers and unevenness in broilers. Many health problems affecting the industry are multifactorial and include both infectious agents and other, non-infectious factors. There have been no reports of histomoniasis (blackhead) in turkeys or other species during the quarter.

Mycoplasmosis continues to be prevalent in the industry, particularly M.gallisepticum in layers, as reported in the previous quarterly report. The report summarises a new technique for Mycoplasma diagnosis which will be available through the VLA in the summer.

To read the full 10 page PDF report please click here

Source: Veterinary Laboratories Agency - May 2004