See also: 25 July 2003.

Emergency report (contd) - see Disease information, 16 (30), 181

Information received on 25 July 2003 from Dr Romano Marabelli, Director General of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Public Health, Rome:

Report date: 25 July 2003.

Description of affected population: chicks raised for personal consumption (backyard flock located in the town of Palermo).

Diagnosis:

A. Laboratory where diagnosis was made: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (Padova), OIE Reference Laboratory for Newcastle disease.

B. Diagnostic tests used: virus isolation in embryonated eggs.

C. Causal agent: the amino acid sequence at the cleavage site indicates a highly pathogenic strain of paramyxovirus. Intracerebral pathogenicity index: 1.8.

Epidemiology:

A. Source of agent / origin of infection: unknown; investigations under way.

B. Mode of spread: unknown.

Control measures: protection and surveillance zones were enforced in application of the relevant European Union legislation. In the protection zone there are seven backyard flocks and in the surveillance zone there are three commercial flocks. No suspected cases have been reported in the flocks under restriction.

Source: OFFICE INTERNATIONAL DES EPIZOOTIES - 1st August 2003