Newcastle disease

[Roland]

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.

  

Further information

See:

     Symptoms (news release)

     The Scottish Executive Contingency Plan for Newcastle Disease

     Latest

 

[Roland]

Sorry meant the sammy one

 

 

 

bel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR

Out of hours telephone 020 7270 8960 Ref: 449/06

Date: 20 October 2006

  

  

Experts to meet to discuss salmonella in laying flocks

  

The Health Protection Agency and the Veterinary Laboratories Agency are today hosting a conference to discuss the results of an EU-wide survey of salmonella in laying flocks.

 

Technical experts from the HPA, VLA, Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), Food Standards Agency, European Commission and the British Egg Industry Council will attend the meeting at the Centre for Infections in north London.

 

They will discuss the initial results of the European Food Safety Authority's survey of salmonella in layer flock holdings, published in June and the results of an analysis of information collected at the time of the survey.

 

Measures including vaccination, good hygiene, disinfection and keeping rodent populations low will be shown to be protective against salmonella . With a high proportion of the UK laying flocks already vaccinated, the importance of rodent control will be stressed.

 

Other presentations at the conference will provide information from research and surveillance in the layer flock sector in the UK and information on cases of Salmonella Enteritidis in humans. The European Commission and Defra will also indicate how the EU are intending to control salmonella in laying flocks across the EU and how legislation in the UK will be implemented through the National Control Plan for laying flocks.  

 

Professor John Threlfall an expert in gastrointestinal illness at the Health Protection Agency said, “This meeting will be a good opportunity for the Health Protection Agency to discuss the advances that have been made in food hygiene and the control and prevention of salmonella contamination of foodstuffs.“

 

The UK Zoonoses Report 2005 will also be launched at the conference today. The report summarises in one document data published in various sources over the last year and provides comparable data from previous years. It draws on information from humans, food and animals and covers the major food and water-borne zoonoses, including campylobacter, salmonella, vero-cytotoxin producing E. coli O157 (VTEC O157) and cryptosporidium, as well as the main notifiable zoonotic diseases of animals including bovine tuberculosis, brucellosis, anthrax, rabies and BSE.

 

Copies of the report are available on the Defra website at: www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/zoonoses/reports.htm.

 

Notes to editors

1.The conference is aimed at people with an interest in the egg industry and public health. Media are welcome to attend and should contact: Abbie Sampson at Defra: 020 7238 6007 / 07799 583221

 

2.The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) released the initial results of its EU-wide survey of salmonella prevalence in layer flock holdings on 14 June. This can be accessed here www.efsa.europa.eu/en.html. The EFSA's final report is expected to be published in November.