UK Poultry Disease Surveillance Report - November 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. 3 June - Sept 2004 - Published Nov 2004 Contents OVERVIEW (here) POULTRY STATISTICS NOTIFIABLE DISEASES: - Submissions to the EU reference laboratory - Imported Captive Birds - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Felines -Fowl Cholera FOOD SAFETY AND ZOONOSES: - Food Safety -Salmonella Report -Salmonella Vaccination and Mareks Disease -Non-Statutory Zoonoses ENDEMIC/NEW AND EMERGING DISEASE SURVEILLANCE: - Virology Report -Stunting in Turkeys -Update on Blackhead (histomoniasis) -Motile Protozoa in Gamebirds 1998-2004 -Other poultry topics:Mareks disease, Necrotic Enteritis -Increased Culling in Layer Pullets Appendix I – VLA Lasswade Diagnostic Post Mortems April-June Appendix II – VLA Lasswade Diagnostic Post Mortems July –September Appendix I – VLA Bury Avian Histopathology submissions April-September

Highlights

• Salmonella Vaccination and Mareks Disease
• Stunting in Turkeys
• Blackhead Update
• Motile Portozoa in Gamebirds

Overview

The poultry statistics presented on page 2 of this report show no major variations from recent quarterly trends although female broiler parent chick placings are down. Data from Poultry World, September 2004 (UK facts and forecasts) show that UK poultry meat consumption/head is stable and egg consumption/head is increasing. This apparently buoyant picture disguises continued pressures from increasing costs, imports and high feed prices, although wheat prices are currently falling albeit with doubts on quality from this year’s UK harvest.

The overall health status of the industry has changed little during the year. A current topic of concern is stunting in turkey poults, and a case report is presented. This report also includes a review of motile protozoal disease in gamebirds, which remains a major concern in that sector but which appears not to have increased to the extent that some feared it would following the withdrawal of dimetridazole. Following widespread veterinary and national press coverage, a review is presented of Avian Influenza in felines.

To read the full 10 page PDF report please click here

Source: Veterinary Laboratories Agency - November 2004