| Legislation
in GB requires that imported animals and animal feed are tested to
ensure they are not carrying certain infections that are either not
present in GB or are part of a national disease control programme.
Animals to be exported require certification to ensure that they
are free of specific infections.
Post-import testing reached its peak following the FMD outbreak
but by the end of 2003/04 it had been reduced by Defra commensurate
with the reduced risk once restocking had been completed. However,
the outbreaks of Brucella in Scotland meant that post-import surveillance
of cattle imported from Ireland was maintained at a high level.
Pre-export tests for birds, dogs and cats increased significantly
compared with last year.
VLA offers 140 different types of test for use in the International
Trade programme and 97.5% were reported within the stipulated turnaround
times. The quality and reliability of these tests are vital and
most of the tests are accredited to the internationally recognised
ISO 17025 quality standard. To maintain this standard regular inter-laboratory
proficiency tests are carried out by the VLA Quality Assurance
Unit.
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Preparing media plates for distribution
to other VLA Regional Laboratories |
It is also important that VLA maintains a comprehensive and ever
evolving portfolio of tests. Test development and validation are
undertaken by our Biotechnology Department and advice is frequently
given to customers on the best tests to use in any given situation
and on the advantages of new tests. Defra makes use of this information
when choosing post-import tests and when negotiating with other
governments on pre-export certification.
Paramyxovirus type-1 and type-2 were isolated from a consignment
of captive birds, including touracos, red-billed barbets and hornbills,
held in quarantine following importation from Africa. The Paramyxovirus
type-1 was characterised as virulent for poultry and phylogenetic
analyses revealed the virus grouped in lineage 5b with other viruses
from Africa.
 |
Paramyxovirus type-1 and type-2 were isolated
from a consignment of captive birds, including hornbills |
The number of samples for warble fly screening decreased dramatically
during the second quarter of the year due to the phasing out of
testing and animals being treated with approved warblecides only.
Only one imported animal was confirmed as Hypoderma positive.
As a result of the increased risk of UK animals being infected
with diseases endemic in Europe, further tests were introduced
for dogs travelling to New Zealand.
 |
Haemaphysalis longicornis, an endemic tick
of New Zealand and potential vector of B.gibsoni |
In collaboration with the Acaris Unit at Bristol University,
a PCR for Babesia gibsoni was validated to coincide with the New
Zealanders’ November deadline.
Examination of capillary blood smears (taken from the ear margin)
for Babesia gibsoni was also started and approximately 50 blood
samples are examined by PCR and microscopy every month.
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Babesia gibsoni
Picture: Roger Poland, MAF Biosecurity Authority,
New Zealand |
Antibodies to Ehrlichia canis have been detected in a number of
dogs that have never been out of the UK. It has been suggested
that antibodies to Ehrlichia (formerly Cytoectes)
phagocytophilia are cross-reacting with E.canis antigen giving a positive result.
Following the outbreak of contagious equine metritis in October
2002 and the subsequent tracing of two infected mares, it is pleasing
that swabs from 2,300 horses submitted for pre-export testing during
the financial year were all negative.
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