Veterinary Services

• Investigations of weak calf syndrome in spring calving suckler herds
• Congenital chrondrodystrophy in a suckler herd
• Outbreaks of Border disease in lambing flocks
• Enzootic abortion (EAE) the most common cause of ovine abortion in Scotland
• High numbers of wild birds examined as part of surveillance for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

West or northwesterly winds circulating around low pressure near the Norwegian Sea were the main feature of April's weather. Conditions were generally unsettled, but mostly showery. Rainfall for the month was higher than average with temperatures close to average. The first third of the month was particularly cold by recent standards, with snow falling to low altitudes.

The weather led to problems at lambing and spring calving with increased mortality rates. Ewe body condition and milk production was reduced as a result of poor grass growth which had a significant effect on lamb viability in some cases. The slow grass growth also delayed turnout for cattle, with winter silage supplies running short.

Following the confirmation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (strain H5N1) in a Whooper swan examined in March 2006, no further cases were found following extensive surveillance and sampling of wild birds and domestic poultry. As a result of this the Scottish Executive lifted restrictions within the Wild Bird Protection zone (an area of 3 km radius from the site where the confirmed case was found at Cellardyke harbour in Fife) on 22 April.