UK: East Lothian Suspect case of Newcastle

[hawkeye]

Newcastle Disease

12/10/2006

The State Veterinary Service is investigating a suspect case of Newcastle Disease in East Lothian.

There is no suspicion of avian influenza, also known as bird flu.

Newcastle Disease is a disease of poultry and does not have any significant public health implications.

The premises concerned have been placed under restrictions whilst veterinary inquiries are undertaken.

Samples have been sent for analysis to the EU reference laboratory at VLA Weybridge. Results are expected at the weekend.

Newcastle disease is a notifiable disease of birds and is characterised bysneezing, gasping for air, nasal discharge, coughing, greenish watery diarrhoea, depression, muscular tremors, drooping wings, twisting of head and neck, circling, complete paralysis, swelling of the tissues around the eyes and in the neck, sudden death.

[hawkeye]

Re: UK: East Lothian Suspect case of Newcastle

Vets investigate poultry disease fear

VETS were last night investigating a suspected outbreak of a highly contagious poultry disease at an East Lothian farm.

The State Veterinary Service said it was looking into a potential case of Newcastle disease.

If confirmed, restricted zones could be set up around the property. Under the latest outbreak response guidelines from the Scottish Executive, this would involve declaring a 1.8 mile protection zone and a six-mile surveillance zone around the premises.

Officials said there was no danger to the public.

They added that there was no suspicion of bird flu, a potentially deadly strain of which was confirmed in Scotland earlier in the year.

This article: http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1515752006

Last updated: 13-Oct-06 01:59 BST

[hawkeye]

Re: UK: East Lothian Suspect case of Newcastle

Newcastle disease probe launched
Government vets have started an investigation into a possible case of Newcastle disease in East Lothian.

The Scottish Executive said there was no significant threat to public health from the affected poultry flock and no suspicion of an avian flu link.

A restriction order has been placed on the premises while laboratory tests are carried out.

If they prove positive, the flock will be culled and contacts with other farms will be investigated.

Restricted zones could also be set up around the property.

Under the latest outbreak response guidelines from the executive, this would involve declaring a 1.8 mile protection zone and a six-mile surveillance zone around the infected premises.

'No danger'

The last known outbreak of Newcastle disease in the UK was in July 2005, when a large flock of pheasants was culled near Surrey.

Its symptoms in birds include sneezing, gasping for air, nasal discharge, coughing, and a greenish, watery diarrhoea.

It can lead to sudden death and an increased death loss in a flock.

There is no danger to humans eating meat from a chicken affected by the disease.

In April this year, the potentially fatal H5N1 strain of bird flu was confirmed in a dead swan found in Fife.

It led to a wild bird risk area covering 1,000 square miles being set up in eastern Scotland around the discovery site at Cellardyke.

Despite reports of large numbers of dead birds after news of the outbreak, all subsequent tests on carcasses across the country proved negative.

The wild bird risk area was lifted on 1 May.

Newcastle disease is listed as a notifiable disease under Department for the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs guidelines, meaning a suspected outbreak has to be reported as soon as possible.

Other notifiable diseases include rabies and foot-and-mouth disease.

A spokesman for the Scottish Executive said: "At the moment it's just a suspected case of Newcastle disease.

"There is no danger to the general public."

Scottish Executive officials also advised anybody who suspected their animals may have the disease to report it immediately to the State Veterinary Service.

[hawkeye]

Re: Confirmed: UK: East Lothian Suspect case of Newcastle

Newcastle disease confirmed
3/10/2006

Laboratory results received today have confirmed Newcastle Disease on a poultry holding in East Lothian.

The results from Veterinary Laboratories Agency in Weybridge follow investigation of suspect disease at the holding in Fenton Barns, Drem.

Newcastle Disease is a disease of poultry. It is not Avian Influenza and has no significant implications for public health.

In response to this confirmation the Scottish Executive, Defra and the State Veterinary Service are undertaking thorough epidemiological assessments to determine the source of the disease and the level of risk it may pose to other poultry.

Restrictions have been put in place and poultry on the premises will be culled in line with EU requirements. A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been established.

Within the 3km protection zone housing of poultry is required, and appropriate means of disinfection must be put in place at the entrances and exits to poultry premises.

Throughout both areas the movements of poultry, captive birds, racing pigeons and hatching eggs are restricted and may only be moved under licence. Bird shows and other gatherings are banned.

Keepers of poultry in the areas are being contacted with information on disease and how to maximise biosecurity protection for their flock.

[hawkeye]

Poultry disease case in East Lothian

Poultry disease case in East Lothian
Defra has confirmed a case of Newcastle Disease at a poultry holding in East Lothian.

Laboratory tests were carried out at the holding in Fenton Barns, Drem, earlier this week following the investigation of the suspected presence of the disease.

The Scottish Executive, Defra and the State Veterinary Service are currently undertaking thorough epidemiological assessments to determine the source of the disease and the level of risk it may pose to other poultry. Restrictions have been put in place and poultry on the premises will be culled in line with EU requirements. A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been established.

Keepers of poultry in the areas are being contacted with information on disease and how to maximise biosecurity protection for their flock.

For more information contact the Scottish Executive press office on 0131 244 2018/1752/2953