UK Poultry Disease Quarterly Surveillance Report (to September 2005) - 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. 9 No. 3 July - September 2005 - Published Nov 2005 Contents OVERVIEW (here) POULTRY STATISTICS NOTIFIABLE DISEASES: - Submissions to the EU reference Laboratory - Imported Captive Birds - Fowl Cholera FOOD SAFETY AND ZOONOSES - Salmonella Report - Salmonella ZO4 Visits - Salmonella gallinarum - EU Broiler Survey - Summary ENDEMIC/NEW AND EMERGING DISEASE SURVEILLANCE - Virology Report OTHER POULTRY TOPICS - Other Avian Topics - Mareks Disease - Blackhead Update - Turkey Airsacculitis/Meningitis - Game Topics - Ulcerative Enteritis in Red Leg Partridges Appendix I – VLA Lasswade commercial Poultry diagnostic post mortems January – June and July – September 2005 Appendix 2 – VLA Lasswade Histopathology submissions January - June 2005

Highlights

• SALMONELLA GALLINARUM CONFIRMED
• MAREK'S DISEASE UPDATE
• BLACKHEAD UPDATE

Overview

The major disease concern during the quarter centred on the confirmation of Newcastle Disease in Surrey in July. Disease was confined to pheasants on a single estate. Further details are given on page 3 of this report.

At the time of writing the confirmation of Avian Influenza H5N1 in Russia and south eastern Europe has become a major concern for the UK poultry industry.

The statistics on page 2 of this report show a seasonal increase in the number of turkey poults placed, but there is nonetheless a downward trend in placings reflecting a longterm gradual contraction in the industry. On the other hand there has been an increase in broiler chick placings through the year. Layer chick placings are down compared with the corresponding quarter of last year.

The importance of red mite in the layer industry was highlighted in the last report (Vol 9 No 2) and this has been supported by further published evidence as described on page 8 of this report. Disease was again confirmed by the VLA in both commercial layer and small hobby flocks during the quarter.

A recent review paper has highlighted the race between pathogen and host, as exemplified by the evolution of Marek’s disease. This is discussed further and a case report presented on page 7. A quarterly update on blackhead (histomoniasis) in turkeys is given on page 8 together with a summary of a recent case of airsacculitis/meningitis in turkeys.

Poultry Statistics

UK Quarterly figs for female Broiler Parent Chick Placings (Average Monthly figures)

UK Quarterly figs for Commercial Broiler Chick Placings (Average Monthly figures)

UK Quarterly figs for Turkey Poults Placings (Average Monthly figures)

Av UK Quarterly figs for Commercial Layer Chick Placings (Average Monthly figures)

UK Quarterly figs for Broiler Slaughterings (Average monthly figures)

UK Quarterly figs for Turkey Slaughterings (Average Monthly figures)

Total Poultry Meat Trade (Average Monthly figures)

Notifiable diseases

One hundred and thirteen samples were received from pheasants and partridge for Newcastle disease virus (NDV) testing. Virulent NDV was isolated on two occasions from pheasants in Surrey. These cases were reported as a “stop press” item in the previous quarterly report and no further cases were identified during the period of this report.

Ninety-eight samples were received from chickens, six from ducks, five from geese, five from turkeys, two from psittacines and one from a crow as part of the surveillance investigation associated with the NDV outbreak but NDV was not detected. However four reoviruses were detected in some of the pheasants from the index case. A submission was received from 5-day-old broiler chickens from which NDV was isolated. Subsequent tests confirmed the isolate as a low-path vaccine strain.

Nine samples were received from pigeons and doves for pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 (PMV-1) investigation and PMV-1 was isolated on two occasions. Eight pigeon sera were received during the quarter of which six showed high PMV-1 HI antibody titres. As part of the NDV outbreak investigations 479 sera were received from the following birds for ND/HI testing; pheasants (374), chicken (98), geese (5) and crows (2). Significant titres were found in 43 of the pheasant sera.

Further Information

To read the full 13 page PDF report please click here

Source: Veterinary Laboratories Agency - November 2005