Newcastle Disease in Greece - GREECE - This is a Follow-up report via OIE on the Newcastle Disease in Greece.

See also: 10 June 2005, 29 April 2005, 8 April 2005, 18 February 2005, 21 January 2005, 14 January 2005

(Date of previous outbreak of Newcastle disease in Greece reported to the OIE: April 2005).

Immediate notification report

Information received on 7 June 2005 from Dr Vasilios Stylas, Head, Animal Health Directorate, Ministry of Agriculture, Athens:

Report date: 7 June 2005.

Reason for immediate notification: re-occurrence of a listed disease or infection in a country or zone/compartment.

Date of first confirmation of the event: 6 June 2005.

Clinical disease: yes.

Nature of diagnosis: clinical, post-mortem and laboratory.

Details of outbreaks:

Description of affected population: broilers (fattening broiler chickens raised under a conventional system).

- Outbreak in Triada Psachna: chickens of two different age-groups: a group of 63-day-old chickens and a group of 64-day-old chickens.

- Outbreak in Malamata-Efpalion: chickens of two different age-groups: a group of approximately 50-day-old chickens and a group of 10-day-old chickens.

Diagnosis:

Laboratory where diagnosis was made	Species examined	Diagnostic tests used	Date	Results
VLA Weybridge, United Kingdom (OIE Reference Laboratory for Newcastle disease).	avi	- virus isolation in embryonated fowl eggs; - haemagglutination test; - haemagglutination inhibition test;	6 June 2005	positive

Source of outbreak: unknown or inconclusive.

Control measures undertaken:

- stamping out;

- zoning;

- disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s).

Vaccination prohibited: no.

Other details/comments:

Outbreak in Triada-Psachna:

- The infected farm consists of 2 houses located on private land.

- According to information provided by the owner, these flocks were vaccinated against Newcastle disease using B1 spray at the age of 1 day, again using B1 drinking water at the age of 10 days and again using Clone-30 spray at the age of 20 and 21 days, respectively.

- The infected farm has been officially isolated by decision of the Veterinary Authority of Evia since 28 April 2005 and stamping out measures were applied on 6 June 2005.

- In addition, since 28 April 2005, the Veterinary Authority of Evia has been conducting an epidemiological survey throughout the prefecture, thus covering an area greater than 10-km radius around the infected farm. The survey has found no evidence of Newcastle disease in the area.

- Strict vaccination measures have been applied to backyard poultry kept in villages throughout the prefecture.

Outbreak in Malamata-Efpalion:

- The infected farm consists of 4 small houses located on private land.

- These flocks were vaccinated against Newcastle disease using B1 Hitchner spray at the age of 1 day.

- The infected farm has been officially isolated by decision of the Veterinary Authority of Fokida since 21 April 2005 and stamping out measures and disinfection were applied on 22 April.

- In addition, since 21 April 2005, the Veterinary Authority of Fokida has been conducting an epidemiological survey around the infected farm and throughout the prefecture. The survey has found no evidence of Newcastle disease in the area.

Source: Office International des Epizooties - 10th June 2005