This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Newcastle disease - latest
15/10/2006
Following the confirmation of Newcastle Disease (pigeon variant) in East Lothian, the State Veterinary Service has completed slaughter on the infected premises and work on cleansing and disinfection has started.
In line with the EU requirement for a stamping out policy, approximately 14,000 birds, principally grey partridge, have been culled.
The premises contained a number of rare species of high conservation value. Following a thorough veterinary risk assessment of the premises and considering most carefully several factors, including their contribution to global biodiversity, it has been possible to exempt a number of the rare species subject to stringent biosecurity and containment conditions.
While the control and eradication of disease is paramount this exemption is a unique response to the international significance of the rare species involved, a number of which are considered globally endangered. These special arrangements have therefore been developed on the basis of veterinary judgement and ornithological advice.
These birds will be vaccinated, tested and kept under quarantine conditions for 60 days under strict biosecurity. They will also be subject to daily veterinary supervision. These special arrangements will not endanger disease control.
Restrictions on the movement of poultry and hatching eggs within the 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone remain in place and poultry keepers continue to be reminded of the importance of good biosecurity and vigilance for signs of disease. Any suspicion should be reported to the State Veterinary Service immediately.
Restrictions will be lifted on the Protection Zone 21 days after the completion of primary cleansing and disinfection and the Surveillance Zone will be lifted 9 days later. This is subject to inspection of poultry holdings in these areas and no further incidence of disease.
Avian influenza was ruled out at early stage of this incident. Newcastle disease does not present a significant risk to human health.
Background
Newcastle Disease PMV1 (Pigeon Variant) has been confirmed in partridge on Fenton Barns Farm, Northern Berwick, East Lothian. The isolate has been placed in Linage 4b and groups with current European and previous UK pigeon isolates.
Pigeon PMV1 infection is known to exist widely in our feral pigeon population. Spill over infection into commercial poultry flocks are uncommon. In any case, Newcastle Disease vaccination is widely practiced in the UK poultry industry and is a very effective preventative measure.
Newcastle Disease is principally spread by the oral/ faecal route. This means that, if exceptional biosecurity is practiced in a farm situation with suitable indoor containment facilities ie farm quarantine, it is possible to prevent disease spreading from a limited number of housed birds. While the epidemiology of Newcastle Disease in rare species of birds is largely unknown, there is no reason to suggest that the disease is any different to that seen in domestic birds. As a consequence, those diseased birds which recover eliminate the virus and do not become carriers. If 60 days have elapsed with no clinical signs, and the birds are tested to ensure that there is no virus present, they may be safely released from farm quarantine.
The veterinary risk assessment suggests that whilst all birds on the premises are likely to have been exposed to disease, the specific biosecurity arrangement for the conserved rare birds will minimise the risk of disease spread.
Previous News releases:
Laboratory results received today have confirmed Newcastle Disease on a poultry holding in East Lothian.
Suspected case of Newcastle Disease identified in poultry flock in East Lothian.