Correction and additional information

See also: 23 May 2003, 20 September 2002,

Information received on 4 October 2002 from Dr Watson H.T. Sung, Deputy Director General, Bureau of Animal and Plant Inspection and Quarantine, Council of Agriculture, Taipei:

Report date: 4 October 2002.

The Newcastle disease outbreak reported in Disease Information, 15 (38), 183, dated 20 September 2002 was reported erroneously for the month of August 2002. In fact, the outbreak was first suspected and notified by the owner of the farm on 3 July 2002, and Newcastle disease virus infection was confirmed on 6 July 2002.

Description of affected population: broiler flock aged 23 days.

Diagnosis: the chickens showed profuse, -coloured diarrhoea, nervous signs and raised mortality. Four thousand chickens died on 3 July before the suspected infection was notified to the Livestock Disease Control Center (LDCC) of Nantou Prefecture.

A. Laboratory where diagnosis was made: National Institute for Animal Health (NIAH).

B. Details concerning the causal virus: amino acid sequence of F cleavage site RRQKRF.

Epidemiology:

A. Source of agent / origin of infection: under investigation.

B. Mode of spread: no further spread was found.

Control measures:

- At the request of the LDCC, the fallen chickens were buried and cleaning and disinfection operations were commenced.

- Quarantine of the farm and movement restrictions on the chickens were imposed by the LDCC.

- Stamping out on the farm was implemented and an estimated 26,000 birds were destroyed immediately after Newcastle disease virus infection had been confirmed on 6 July 2002.

- Cleaning and disinfection were conducted again after the farm has been stamped out.

- To date, all surveillance in the area around the infected farm has given negative results .

Source: OFFICE INTERNATIONAL DES EPIZOOTIES - 4th October 2002