Cyprus is still striving to get on top of an outbreak of Newcastle Disease.
But two other countries, Finland and Bulgaria, have succeeded in getting on top of outbreaks.
The disease was first confirmed in Cyprus on November 26, 2004. Control measures undertaken partial stamping out, movement control inside the country, vaccination; and disinfection of infected premises - were undertaken.
Ministry of Agriculture officials in Nicosia told the OIE (World Animal Health Organisation) last week that, during the period January 5-18, 2005, a vaccination campaign had taken place all over the south-western part of the island. It covered all avian species including pet cage birds.
Samples from all these suspected outbreaks are under investigation at the Central Veterinary Laboratories.
The intensive poultry industry in Cyprus applies regular systematic vaccination against Newcastle Disease.
Authorities in Bulgaria told the OIE that, as per the requirements of Directive 92/66/EEC of the Council of the European Communities and the requirements of Chapter 2.7.13. of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code (2004 edition), the National Veterinary Service of Bulgaria had taken all the necessary measures to limit and eradicate the Newcastle Disease outbreak found in the village of Ridino, in December 2004.
In compliance with the Law on Veterinary Activities and the regulation on prevention and control of Newcastle Disease, which has been harmonised with European Council Directive 92/66/EEC, and with the aim of limiting and eradicating the disease, the National Veterinary Service, on receipt of notification of the suspected presence of the disease on December 15, 2004, had taken the following measures:
* On December 16, 2004 (prior to receiving laboratory confirmation of the disease), all poultry reared in the village (246 hens, 29 cocks, 55 pigeons and 33 turkeys) were killed and buried in accordance with stampingout measures.
* On December 21, 2004, following the results of the laboratory tests, the disease was notified at the national level by an Ordinance of the Director General of the National Veterinary Service and, at the international level, to OIE Member Countries and European Union Member States.
* Disinfection procedures have been carried out in all the farmyards and premises for poultry rearing and the roads in the outbreak area since the poultry were culled.
* Between December 16 and 29, 2004, ring vaccination was carried out within a 13-km radius of the outbreak (prevention and control zone). A total of 21,320 birds were vaccinated in 57 towns and villages of three districts of the region of Kardjali using La Sota live vaccine produced in France.
* For the purpose of serological surveillance for the disease, arrangements were made for the examination of blood samples taken from poultry farmed in the localities situated at a distance of between 2km and 10km beyond the border of the controlled area. A total of 1,545 samples from 33 towns and villages were taken and tested during the period from December 26, 2004 to January 2, 2005. All the samples had given negative results for Newcastle Disease virus antibodies.
* No new cases of Newcastle disease have been reported on the territory of the region of Kardjali or elsewhere in the country. The Bulgarian authorities said that, under the terms of Article 2.7.13.3. of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code there was no longer a Newcastle Disease infected zone in Bulgaria.
And there have been no further outbreaks of Newcastle Disease in Finland.
All birds on the infected holding, 12,000 turkeys in total, were killed and completely destroyed on July 22, 2004.
Three hundred sentinel chickens were placed at the holding in October 2004 and were tested for Newcastle Disease in November 2004, with negative results.
The Finnish authorities said that, since six months had now elapsed since stamping-out measures were applied to the affected holding, Finland should now be considered as free from Newcastle disease under the terms of Article 2.7.13.2. of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code (2004 edition).
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