Veterinary Services Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health

October 13, 2006

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CEI Short Report - United Kingdom , Newcastle Disease, October 13, 2006

Veterinary Laboratories Agency in Weybridge has confirmed Newcastle Disease in a flock of 15,000 grey partridges on a game bird fattener farm in East Lothian, Scotland .  The farm also has a small number of broiler chickens, quail and other poultry species on site.  All poultry on the premises will be culled.  Movement restrictions of all poultry and captive birds have been put into place.  A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been established.  Newcastle disease was last reported in the United Kingdom in a flock of 11,000 pheasants on a farm in West Horsley, Surrey in July of 2005.

During 2005 the US imported 86,580 eggs and 81 live birds from the United Kingdom .  So far in 2006 the US has imported 286 live birds from the United Kingdom .  All live poultry and other bird species imported into the US (except from Canada) are required to have a USDA issued import permit, a health certificate issued by a government veterinarian in the country of origin, and be quarantined for 30 days in a USDA animal import quarantine facility.  Testing for communicable diseases of poultry is completed during the quarantine.  This includes pet birds as well as commercial birds.  Hatching eggs are also required to have a USDA issued import permit, a health certificate issued by a government veterinarian in the country of origin.

For assessment of risk to the US please see CEI's Impact Worksheet on Newcastle Disease in the United Kingdom , July 20, 2005.