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Newcastle disease probe launched Newcastle disease probe launched
(about 10 hours later)
Government vets have started an investigation into a possible case of Newcastle disease in East Lothian.Government vets have started an investigation into a possible case of Newcastle disease in East Lothian.
The Scottish Executive said there was no significant threat to public health from the affected poultry flock and no suspicion of an avian flu link.The Scottish Executive said there was no significant threat to public health from the affected poultry flock and no suspicion of an avian flu link.
A restriction order has been placed on the premises while laboratory tests are carried out.A restriction order has been placed on the premises while laboratory tests are carried out.
If they prove positive, the flock will be culled and contacts with other farms will be investigated.If they prove positive, the flock will be culled and contacts with other farms will be investigated.
Restricted zones could also be set up around the property.Restricted zones could also be set up around the property.
Under the latest outbreak response guidelines from the executive, this would involve declaring a 1.8 mile protection zone and a six-mile surveillance zone around the infected premises.Under the latest outbreak response guidelines from the executive, this would involve declaring a 1.8 mile protection zone and a six-mile surveillance zone around the infected premises.
'No danger''No danger'
The last known outbreak of Newcastle disease in the UK was in July 2005, when a large flock of pheasants was culled near Surrey.
Its symptoms in birds include sneezing, gasping for air, nasal discharge, coughing, and a greenish, watery diarrhoea.
It can lead to sudden death and an increased death loss in a flock.
There is no danger to humans eating meat from a chicken affected by the disease.
In April this year, the potentially fatal H5N1 strain of bird flu was confirmed in a dead swan found in Fife.In April this year, the potentially fatal H5N1 strain of bird flu was confirmed in a dead swan found in Fife.
It led to a wild bird risk area covering 1,000 square miles being set up in eastern Scotland around the discovery site at Cellardyke.It led to a wild bird risk area covering 1,000 square miles being set up in eastern Scotland around the discovery site at Cellardyke.
Despite reports of large numbers of dead birds after news of the outbreak, all subsequent tests on carcasses across the country proved negative.Despite reports of large numbers of dead birds after news of the outbreak, all subsequent tests on carcasses across the country proved negative.
The wild bird risk area was lifted on 1 May.The wild bird risk area was lifted on 1 May.
Newcastle disease is listed as a notifiable disease under Department for the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs guidelines, meaning a suspected outbreak has to be reported as soon as possible.Newcastle disease is listed as a notifiable disease under Department for the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs guidelines, meaning a suspected outbreak has to be reported as soon as possible.
At the moment it's just a suspected case of Newcastle disease Scottish ExecutiveAt the moment it's just a suspected case of Newcastle disease Scottish Executive
Other notifiable diseases include rabies and foot-and-mouth disease.Other notifiable diseases include rabies and foot-and-mouth disease.
The last known outbreak of Newcastle disease in the UK was in July 2005, when a large flock of pheasants was culled near Surrey.
Its symptoms in birds include sneezing, gasping for air, nasal discharge, coughing, and a greenish, watery diarrhoea.
It can lead to sudden death and an increased death loss in a flock.
There is no danger to humans eating meat from a chicken affected by the disease.
A spokesman for the Scottish Executive said: "At the moment it's just a suspected case of Newcastle disease.A spokesman for the Scottish Executive said: "At the moment it's just a suspected case of Newcastle disease.
"There is no danger to the general public.""There is no danger to the general public."
Scottish Executive officials also advised anybody who suspected their animals may have the disease to report it immediately to the State Veterinary Service.Scottish Executive officials also advised anybody who suspected their animals may have the disease to report it immediately to the State Veterinary Service.