Infectious Bronchitis Endemic in Hobby Flocks

FINLAND - Following an outbreak of infectious bronchitis in a commercial flock in April, all movements restrictions have now been lifted. The disease is endemic in the hobby sector.
calendar icon 15 September 2011
clock icon 3 minute read

Avian infectious bronchitis is not and has never been listed in Finland as a disease leading to official measures, according to a report from the Finnish veterinary authority to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

The disease was prevalent in the 1970s but then disappeared from the commercial sector with one reappearance in 1997.

In April 2011, avian infectious bronchitis was diagnosed in a commercial egg-laying holding in Finland. Since the disease had not been seen in Finland for so many years, it was decided to apply movement restrictions to the holding based on the possibility in the law to use measures against new and emerging diseases. The intention was to clarify whether there were more cases in Finland and then decide on how to proceed.

At the same time, however, cases became apparent in hobby flocks. By mid-May, there were 24 outbreaks in hobby flocks in total, representing more than 50 per cent of the flocks tested. Since then, hobby flocks have no longer been tested. It was decided to remove all official movement restrictions, leaving the measures to the private sector.

All movement restrictions had been removed and that the disease is endemic in the hobby sector.

Further Reading

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Further Reading

- Find out more information on infectious bronchitis by clicking here.
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