Veterinary Services

• Swine influenza due to pandemic H1N1 (2009) virus confirmed in pigs in Scotland for the first time

• Outbreaks of bovine respiratory disease due to IBR, Mannheimia haemolytica and Mycoplasma bovis
• Metabolic and toxic conditions associated with difficulties in feeding sheep during severe weather conditions
• Deaths in wild birds due to starvation and salmonellosis

Disease alerts

The following conditions featured in the SAC C VS report for April 2009. Given similar climatic and management conditions, they could be important this year.

• Outbreaks of bovine neonatal pancytopaenia (bleeding calf) syndrome in spring born suckled calves
• Yearling cattle deaths from thromboembolic meningoencephalitis due to Histophilus somni infection
• Lamb dysentery in lambs three days to three weeks of age
• Deaths in young pigs due to Streptococcus suis serotype 2 infection

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

The first half of January was very cold with frequent snowfalls and some sharp frosts. Mean temperatures were typically 2.5 degrees Celsius below the 1971 to 2000 average. Provisionally, it was the coldest January since 1979. Rainfall was generally well below average.

The Scottish Government announced it has commissioned a review of how Scotland gathers and monitors information on the spread of animal diseases. At the same time it has updated and consolidated its contingency plans for exotic animal disease into one generic Contingency Framework Plan. The two elements of disease surveillance and disease control are considered vital in maintaining Scotland’s reputation for quality livestock production.