§ Mr. Welshasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of Newcastle disease have been reported over the past five years; and whether any link has been established between this disease and the import of any particular species of bird.
§ Mr. StrangThe number of confirmed cases reported in each of the past five years is as follows:
1970 3,329 1971 4,217 1972 400 1973 74 1974 35 1975 (to 30-9-75) 6 Three of this years six outbreaks were associated with recently imported psittacine birds.
In addition, research work at the Central Veterinary Laboratory, Weybridge, has yielded Newcastle disease virus in recently imported batches of psittacines as follows:
- 1973:
- 2 out of 5.
- 1974:
- 1 out of 3.
- 1975:
- 7 out of 11.
Although psittacines have been implicated to the greatest extent in the spread of Newcastle disease, a world-wide review indicates that many species have been involved and that no species can be considered immune.
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§ Mr. Welshasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what United Kingdom studies have been undertaken on the connection between Newcastle disease and the importation of caged birds.
§ Mr. StrangDuring the last five years there has been an increasing amount of work at the Central Veterinary Laboratory, Weybridge, on the incidence of Newcastle disease in caged birds, particularly recently imported birds. The character of the virus is studied and virulent strains are frequently identified. There is also work on the excretion of the virus and on its transmission amongst psittacine birds and from psittacines to chickens. Each outbreak of Newcastle disease in poultry is studied in an attempt to ascertain the source of infection.