Veterinary RecordVolume 191, Issue 1 p. 20-24 SurveillanceFree Access Disease surveillance in England and Wales, June 2022 First published: 08 July 2022 https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.2003AboutSectionsPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Highlights from the scanning surveillance network Cattle Skin disease Cattle with skin disease were investigated in four separate herds in Powys and Herefordshire. Individual animals were affected in three of the herds, with five animals affected in the fourth. Three of these cases led to investigations for lumpy skin disease (LSD) by APHA Field Services. Following exclusion of LSD, further diagnostic sampling was undertaken by the private practitioners. None of the animals was pruritic and hence skin scrapes were not considered useful; instead, some fixed and fresh biopsy samples were obtained. Histopathological examination confirmed lymphoma in two of the cases. One was an 18-month-old Holstein-Friesian heifer, which rapidly developed many ‘spongy’ masses of varying size, some becoming ulcerated. The second was a five-year-old Limousin suckler cow which similarly had multiple masses over its entire body (Fig 1). The possibility of enzootic bovine leucosis (EBL) must be considered for lymphomas. The cases were each discussed with APHA Field Services. As EBL occurs in cattle older than three years, further testing was carried out for the five-year-old suckler cow but not the 18-month-old heifer. Tests for EBL were negative. APHA DISEASE SURVEILLANCE REPORT HEADLINES Cattle with multifocal skin lesions Mesenteric torsion and tapeworms in a lamb First outbreak this year of Klebsiella pneumoniae septicaemia in pigs Coronavirus nephritis in adult pheasants Seabird deaths along the British coastline Focus on antibiotic prescribing challenges In smallholder poultry The third case was a 12-month-old Limousin-cross bullock which over several months developed many cutaneous lesions, resembling abscesses, along the dorsal aspect of the nasal bones and over the back, varying from 5–30 mm in diameter. A chronic multifocal pyogranulomatous dermatitis with folliculitis and furunculosis was diagnosed on histopathology, although no specific aetiology was identified. A PCR test ruled out bovine viral diarrhoea virus infection. ABOUT THIS REPORT This report is produced each month by the APHA Surveillance Intelligence Unit and the six Species Expert Groups (livestock and wildlife). The international horizon-scanning summaries are produced by the Defra/APHA International Disease Monitoring (IDM) team, notifiable disease reports by the APHA Veterinary Exotic and Notifiable Disease Unit (VENDU), and threat analysis by the cross-agency Veterinary Risk Group (VRG). The report is drawn from scanning surveillance information, data and reports produced by the APHA Veterinary Investigation Centres and non-APHA partner postmortem examination providers contributing to the Veterinary Investigation Diagnosis Analysis (VIDA) database and complying with standardised diagnostic and laboratory testing criteria. Other livestock and wildlife scanning surveillance reports may also be found at https://bit.ly/3vNoHV3 Fig 1Open in figure viewerPowerPoint Lymphoma skin lesions affecting a cow The fourth case was in a suckler herd of 300 cows, where five animals exhibited caseous abscesses along the mandible and ventral neck (Fig 2). No bacteria were isolated from three needle aspirates, but histopathology confirmed severe multifocal chronic pyogranulomatous lesions with Splendore-Hoeppli inclusions. These lesions are diagnostic for actinobacillosis. Sampling for skin diseases Practitioners are encouraged to discuss skin disease cases with the APHA; if LSD or EBL is suspected, APHA Field Services should be informed (see ‘Contacting the APHA’, p 26). If notifiable disease is ruled out, the following sampling protocol is recommended. If animals are pruritic, collect skin scrapes from the edge of active lesions, for examination for ectoparasites. Bacteriology may be considered for abscessated or purulent lesions; collect swabs in charcoal, or aspirate lesion contents (it can be difficult to avoid contamination with commensal organisms). For histopathology, obtain full-thickness skin biopsies fixed in 10 per cent formalin. Fig 2Open in figure viewerPowerPoint Actinobacillosis lesions behind the mandible of a cow In all cases sampling from several sites is recommended. Small ruminants Mesenteric torsion and tapeworms in a lamb A six-week-old lamb was submitted to the APHA Carmarthen Veterinary Investigation Centre (VIC) to investigate three sudden deaths in a group of 14 ewes and 33 lambs. The lambs were housed at night with some receiving supplementary lamb milk from a bottle, including the submitted lamb. The lambs had been treated with ivermectin for gastrointestinal parasites 10 days previously. Significant postmortem findings included torsion of the mesentery affecting a 30-cm segment of the distal small intestine, with dark-red haemorrhages on the affected serosa and mesentery and fibrin strands on the serosa (Fig 3). A large number of tapeworms were present in the small intestine (Fig 4). The submitted lamb also had 200 Teladorsagia/Ostertagia species identified in the abomasum, indicating a light worm burden, although no worm eggs were detected in the faeces, likely resulting from the recent worming treatment. A coccidial count of 2050 oocysts per gram of faeces was also identified; of those that were successfully sporulated, 52 per cent were of the pathogenic species Eimeria ovinoidalis. Coccidiosis due to Eimeria species typically affects young lambs, four to eight weeks of age, producing diarrhoea, illthrift and death. The significance of the large number of tapeworms within the small intestinal tract is not clear in this case. Adult tapeworms (Moniezia species) are common parasites in the intestines of first-season grazing lambs but the pathogenicity of infection is yet to be conclusively demonstrated, although unthriftiness or diarrhoea have sometimes been attributed to Moniezia.1 Fig 3Open in figure viewerPowerPoint Distension of the small intestines in a lamb with a mesenteric torsion A similar case of small intestinal torsion in a five-week-old lamb has previously been reported.2 Intestinal torsions occurring in older lambs are usually associated with dietary changes, such as access to readily fermentable crops, including lush pasture. Fermentation occurs in the large intestine and results in gas production, which causes the gut to shift, resulting in a twist. Access to a milk replacer diet could have predisposed both lambs to a small intestinal torsion. However, the presence of such a large Moniezia burden in the present case may have also been a contributory factor. In older, larger sheep, large burdens are unlikely to physically block the intestines; however, this has been anecdotally reported in young lambs.3 This case report suggests that parasite attachment to the intestinal mucosa might cause altered local intestinal motility as described in cases of Anoplocephala perfoliata infections inducing colic in horses. Clearly there is a need for further research into the epidemiology of Moniezia species. Fig 4Open in figure viewerPowerPoint Tapeworms removed from the small intestine of the lamb in Fig 3 In the case submitted to the APHA, it was advised to review the husbandry practice of keeping lambs in at night and out in the day, as changes between feed types may have increased the risk of intestinal torsion. Additionally, a review of gastrointestinal parasite control was recommended and further testing to assess coccidial oocyst burden in the lambs could be helpful to establish how widespread infection is within the group. More information on parasite control in sheep can be obtained from the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) website, www.scops.org.uk Pigs Klebsiella pneumoniae septicaemia Sudden deaths of good pigs were reported in June among 19-day-old piglets from three litters in a large farrowing batch on an outdoor breeding unit in East Anglia. Most piglets within the three litters were affected, with a total of 30 deaths at the time of submission. All four piglets submitted to the APHA Bury St Edmunds VIC showed diffuse purple skin discolouration. They had dark, congested livers, congested meninges and the scant milky contents in their stomachs suggested they had been inappetent before death. Initial examination raised suspicion of bacterial septicaemia, and the isolation of heavy, often pure, growths of Klebsiella pneumoniae subspecies pneumoniae (Kpp) from multiple internal sites in several piglets confirmed a diagnosis of Kpp septicaemia. The isolate involved was resistant to ampicillin by disc diffusion antimicrobial sensitivity testing, and sensitive to other antimicrobials tested. Ampicillin resistance is innate and not acquired in Kpp. This is the first outbreak of Kpp septicaemia in pigs diagnosed in 2022. Interestingly, these outbreaks show a marked seasonal pattern, with almost all occurring between May and October each year (Fig 5). Outbreaks of septicaemia in piglets due to Kpp have been diagnosed by the APHA every year since the summer of 2011, when the first outbreaks were seen in pigs. Molecular analysis of isolates has identified that the same emerging strain of Kpp (sequence type 25) has been involved in all but one of the outbreaks. Outbreaks almost exclusively affect preweaned pigs from 10 days of age to weaning, and most, but not all, have been in outdoor pig herds, as in this case. Herds experiencing outbreaks in consecutive years have used autogenous vaccine in sows to control disease in piglets, reportedly to good effect. The clinical signs of sudden death are non-specific and further investigation, including postmortem examination and culture, is essential to confirm a diagnosis of Kpp septicaemia. The case definition for an outbreak of Kpp septicaemia is ‘Pigs found dead with lesions consistent with septicaemia and pure/predominant growths of Klebsiella pneumoniae subspecies pneumoniae isolated from internal sites in multiple pigs.‘ More information about Kpp septicaemia is available at https://bit.ly/3NmBpB3 and https://bit.ly/3u9CDsF Birds Gamebirds Coronavirus nephritis in adult pheasants At the beginning of May 2022, APHA Lasswade received fixed kidneys and a pool of swabs from fresh kidneys from a flock of pheasants. Seventy deaths had been reported in this flock of 500 breeding birds. The birds had not been vaccinated against coronaviruses. At gross examination, visceral gout with pale and enlarged kidneys was observed. Histopathology revealed a marked subacute multifocal tubular interstitial nephritis in two of the samples (Figs 6, 7). Non-specific nephropathy was observed in the other two kidney samples received. PCR for infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and IBV-like γ coronaviruses was positive, but the genotype could not be determined. A similar submission received from another part of the country showed a subacute to chronic tubular interstitial nephritis in all three samples received and PCR testing for IBV and IBV-like γ coronaviruses was weakly positive. In both cases, the epidemiology, gross and microscopic findings, and the molecular analysis were consistent with coronavirus nephritis of pheasants. Coronavirus nephritis of pheasants has been described since the 1980s in Great Britain.4–6 Initial molecular analysis of the British pheasant coronaviruses showed a similarity to coronaviruses derived from poultry, though differences could be identified.7 A recent publication from China has looked more closely at the molecular characteristics of pheasant-derived coronaviruses, concluding that the pheasant coronavirus in China and IBV detected in poultry have the same ancestor.8 Fig 5Open in figure viewerPowerPoint Klebsiella pneumoniae septicaemia outbreaks in piglets by month of diagnosis, 2011–mid-June 2022 There are no recent data on the strains currently circulating in British pheasants, and the APHA is interested in collecting material to investigate this further. Any suspect cases can be discussed with APHA Lasswade. Wildlife Wild birds Seabird deaths along the British coastline There has been a recent increase in reports of large numbers of seabirds dying along the British coastline. A variety of species have been reported, including gannets, great skuas, puffins, eider ducks, herring gulls, guillemots, and Arctic, Sandwich and common terns. APHA investigations are ongoing but highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been detected in birds from most affected sites and in a range of species. Fig 6Open in figure viewerPowerPoint Kidney histology sample showing tubulointerstitial nephritis with a multifocal mononuclear and granulocytic infiltration of the cortical interstitium (arrows) Fig 7Open in figure viewerPowerPoint Kidney histology sample showing tubulointerstitial nephritis with dense granulocytic infiltrations into distended tubules in the medulla (arrows), which are associated with disruption of the epithelium. There is mononuclear and granulocytic infiltration the adjacent cortical interstitium (stars) Transmission of HPAI may be occurring more readily as seabirds are currently congregating at their breeding colonies. This mass mortality event poses a threat to biodiversity as most of the aforementioned species have either an amber- or red-listed conservation status.9 Britain is an important site for some of the affected species, such as the great skua (approximately 60 per cent of the global population breeds in Britain). In addition to large numbers of birds dying reducing overall population sizes, it is unclear what effect HPAI may have on breeding success due to possible effects on egg viability or loss of parents. Many of these species also take a number of years to reach sexual maturity, further affecting recovery following these mortality events. The APHA Diseases of Wildlife Scheme continues to take an interest in these events and has investigated several accounts of seabird deaths over the past few years.10,11 Anyone finding a dead wild bird should contact the APHA (see ‘Contacting the APHA’, p 26). International disease monitoring International Disease Monitoring (IDM) horizon-scanning activities monitor for major, notifiable or new and re-emerging animal disease outbreaks worldwide. This is done to provide an early warning and to assess the risks they may pose to the UK, in particular those diseases that impact on animal health and welfare, international trade, public health or wider society. IDM also assesses the risk that animal diseases might come into the UK through the trade in animals or animal products (legal or illegal), through movements of wildlife, or through the movement of fomites and vectors such as insects, which may carry infectious disease. These outbreak assessments are used to guide decisions on how to manage or reduce the risks and are published online at https://bit.ly/3ul7r6U “This mass mortality event poses a threat to biodiversity • Poultry and non-commercial non-poultry are defined in the World Organisation for Animal Health's Terrestrial Animal Health Code at https://bit.ly/32yIjlA The following summarises outbreaks during May 2022. Highly pathogenic avian influenza In May, in Europe, outbreaks of HPAI H5N1 were reported in poultry in Czech Republic (one), France (196), Hungary (142), Iceland (one), Netherlands (two) and Slovakia (one). HPAI H5N1 was reported in non-commercial non-poultry in Czech Republic (one), France (13), Germany (one) and Iceland (one). HPAI H5N1 was reported in wild birds in Austria (one), Czech Republic (two), Finland (four), France (two), Germany (19), Greece (one), Iceland (one), Lithuania (two), Netherlands (33), Spain (two) and Sweden (three). HPAI H5N5 was reported in wild birds in Norway (four). HPAI H5 (serotype not typed) was reported in poultry in Bulgaria (12) and Moldova (one). In Asia, HPAI H5N1 was reported in poultry in Japan (three), Nepal (one) and Philippines (13), and in wild birds in Japan (11). HPAI H5N2 was reported in poultry in Chinese Taipei (one). HPAI H5N8 was reported in wild birds in Israel (two). In Africa, HPAI H5N1 was reported in poultry in Gabon (one), Nigeria (two) and South Africa (one), and in wild birds in South Africa (one). In the Americas, HPAI H5N1 was reported in poultry in Canada (34) and the USA (52); in non-commercial non-poultry in Canada (11) and the USA (69); and in wild birds in Canada (20) and the USA (nine). The risk of an incursion of HPAI H5 in wild birds in Great Britain has reduced from high to medium. The risk of exposure of poultry across Great Britain is maintained at low (with low uncertainty) where good biosecurity is applied, and at medium (with low uncertainty) where biosecurity is suboptimal. The housing measures that were implemented across the UK on 29 November 2021 were lifted on 2 May 2022. Mandatory enhanced biosecurity requirements remain along with the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone imposed in Great Britain on 3 November 2021 and in Northern Ireland on 17 November 2021. All poultry keepers (including those who keep gamebirds or pet poultry) should follow the biosecurity best practice advice available at https://bit.ly/2Ziz3jU Poultry keepers are requested to remain vigilant for any signs of disease in their flock and report any sign of avian influenza to the appropriate contact number (see ‘Contacting the APHA’, p 26). Details of the latest situation can be found at https://bit.ly/2SqJf5Y African swine fever In May, in Europe, outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) in domestic pigs were reported in Germany (one), Moldova (two), Romania (17) and Russia (two). Outbreaks of ASF in wild boar have been reported in Germany (24), Hungary (74), Italy (43), Latvia (25), Poland (113), Romania (32) and Russia (two). Elsewhere, outbreaks of ASF in domestic pigs were reported in Nepal (10), South Africa (three), South Korea (one) and Thailand (seven). Cases of ASF in wild boar were reported in South Korea (14). There is a medium risk of incursion of ASF virus to the UK, and this is being kept under review. More information on the situation in Europe is available at https://bit.ly/34hYoJq, while information on the situation in Asia can be found at https://bit.ly/34kvokc As the travel restrictions observed over the past two years as a result of Covid-19 ease, it remains a critical time for the potential spread of the virus throughout Europe as well as into other regions through human-mediated routes such as introduction from personal imports (including illegal imports) or fomites. Although the UK has now left the EU, the rules for passengers travelling into Great Britain from the EU with products of animal origin have not yet changed, but Great Britain will be bringing in controls in late 2023. All travellers are strongly advised to avoid bringing any pork products – for example, dried or cured meats, sausages, salamis or pâté – back to the UK from ASF-affected parts of Europe. Travellers from Asia and other third country areas who bring meat or dairy products can face prosecution and a large fine. Everyone should observe the swill feeding ban. It remains illegal to feed catering waste, kitchen scraps, meat or meat products to farmed animals, including those kept as pets. This is to prevent the introduction and spread of potentially devastating notifiable animal diseases, such as ASF, classical swine fever (CSF) and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Outbreaks of these diseases can cause significant animal health and welfare problems and damage to the economy (https://bit.ly/3fLcbgV). Information on how to spot ASF, including photos of clinical signs, and how to report suspect cases is available at https://bit.ly/2SkQFHX Classical swine fever In May, Japan reported one outbreak of CSF in domestic pigs. There is a very low risk of incursion of CSF virus to the UK, and this is being kept under review. Foot-and-mouth disease In May, the following outbreaks of FMD were reported: serotype O in Algeria (four), Israel (24) and Palestine (two); serotype SAT 2 in South Africa (19) and Zimbabwe (10); serotype SAT 3 in South Africa (six); and untyped in Indonesia (80). There remains a low risk of FMD incursion into the UK from any affected region. Newcastle disease In May, Newcastle disease was reported in Israel (12) and Colombia (seven). The risk level for exposure to poultry in the UK remains at low. References 1Elliott DC. Tapeworm (Moniezia expansa) and its effect on sheep production: the evidence reviewed. N Z Vet J 1986; 34: 61– 5CrossrefCASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar 2Kelly RF, Evans M, Sargison ND. Identifying knowledge gaps in Moniezia expansa epidemiology: a report of a small intestinal torsion in a 5-week-old lamb. N Z Vet J 2021; 69: 186– 9CrossrefCASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar 3Burnell M. Tapeworm control in sheep. Vet Rec 2005; 157: 180Wiley Online LibraryPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar 4Pennycott TW. Causes of mortality and culling in adult pheasants. Vet Rec 2000; 146: 273– 8Wiley Online LibraryCASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar 5Lister SA. Diseases of game birds. In Pract 1989; 11: 170– 4Wiley Online LibraryGoogle Scholar 6Gough RE, Cox WJ, Winkler CE, et al. Isolation and identification of infectious bronchitis virus from pheasants. Vet Rec 1986; 138: 208– 9Wiley Online LibraryGoogle Scholar 7Cavanagh D, Mawditt K, Welchman D de B, et al. Coronaviruses from pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) are genetically closely related to coronaviruses of domestic fowl (infectious bronchitis virus) and turkeys. Avian Pathol 2002; 31: 81– 93CrossrefCASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar 8Han Z, Liwen X, Ren M, et al. Genetic, antigenic and pathogenic characterization of avian coronaviruses isolated from pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) in China. Vet Microbiol 2020; 240: 108513CrossrefCASPubMedGoogle Scholar 9Stanbury A, Eaton M, Aebischer N, et al. The status of our bird populations: the fifth Birds of Conservation Concern in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man and second IUCN Red List assessment of extinction risk for Great Britain. British Birds 2021; 114: 723– 74Google Scholar 10Duff JP, Thurston L, Holmes JP, et al. Botulism and Bisgaard taxon implicated in Arctic tern deaths in the UK. Vet Rec 2021; 189: 77– 8Wiley Online LibraryCASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar 11Fullick E, Bidewell CA, Duff JP, et al. Mass mortality of seabirds in GB. Vet Rec 2022; 190: 129– 30Wiley Online LibraryCASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar Volume191, Issue19/16 July 2022Pages 20-24 FiguresReferencesRelatedInformation