Newcastle Disease confirmed in the UK
The threat to the UK egg industry is “minimal” says Defra following the discovery of Newcastle Disease in a batch of pheasants being reared for shooting.
The birds, which were at West Horsley, near Guildford, Surrey, have been slaughtered and movement restrictions imposed on the premises. A 3km protection zone and 10 km surveillance zone has been thrown around the area.
Defra says that the infected farm is not close to any significant poultry units and while Newcastle Disease is infectious to other birds, large sectors of the poultry industry vaccinate against it. All commercial layers are likely to be protected by vaccine, as will be layer breeders and broiler breeders. The majority of broilers are not routinely vaccinated but this could be arranged quickly if necessary.
The State Veterinary Service are tracing all known contacts with the original consignment of pheasants which were imported from France.
Chief veterinary officer Debby Reynolds commented: “All keepers of birds should ensure they maintain high standards of bio-security, consider whether they wish to vaccinate, consult their vet advisors and report any suspicion of disease to the State Veterinary Service.
What are the symptoms?
The clinical signs in birds affected with Newcastle Disease can be very variable. The disease can be present in a very acute form with sudden onset and high mortality or as a mild disease with respiratory distress or a drop in egg production as the only detectable clinical signs.
A sub-clinical (asymptomatic) form of Newcastle Disease and many intermediate forms of the disease can also occur. The clinical signs include depression, lack of appetite, respiratory distress with beak gaping, coughing, sneezing, snicking, gurgling and rattling, yellowish green diarrhoea and nervous signs.
In laying flocks a sudden drop in egg production with a high proportion of eggs laid with abnormal (soft) shells is often an early sign of disease. Young birds are particularly susceptible and mortality can be heavy, with survivors often exhibiting permanent nervous signs.
How is it spread?
The disease is spread by direct contact with secretions and excretions, especially faeces, from infected birds and from contaminated feed, water, implements, premises, human clothing etc. It is classed as notifiable by Defra because it is a highly infectious disease of birds caused by a para-myxo virus. Birds affected by this disease are fowls, turkeys, geese, ducks, pheasants, guinea fowl and other wild and captive birds, including ratites such ostriches, emus and rhea.
Previous cases
In Britain cases of the disease were first reported in the 1930s and from 1947 isolated outbreaks occurred over the next 30 years. There were further cases in 1984 and 1996/97. Greece and Cyprus have reported cases this year and there were outbreaks in Finland, Sweden and Italy in 2004.
