Animal disesases in Finland 1997 - Veterinary and Food Department

The combat and prevention of animal diseases is prescribed in the animal disease acts (N:o 55/1980, others 809/1992, 424/1994, 1193/1996, 491/1997 and 1000/1997). Animal disease means any sickness or infection that can be transmitted directly or indirectly from one animal to another or to man. They are classed by statute into very contagious diseases, dangerous diseases, diseases to be controlled and other diseases. Taking their nature and effects into account, the Veterinary Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry decides which diseases are to be regarded as very contagious, dangerous or to be controlled.

Supreme authority for overseeing execution of the law belongs with the Ministry’s Veterinary and Food Department. Duties related to its implementation are carried out by provincial veterinarians at the provincial level and by municipal veterinarians and veterinary inspectors at the local level. Border veterinary inspectors are responsible for combating animal disease at the border under the terms of the Border Veterinary Inspection Act (N:o 1192/1996). Laboratory examinations required for the implementation of the law are conducted by the National Veterinary and Food Research Institute (EELA).

Notification of animal diseases

If an animal’s owner or handler or a veterinarian other than a municipal veterinarian suspects the incidence of a disease that must be combated on a farm, he must report the matter to the municipal veterinarian. If contact cannot be made with the municipal veterinarian, the provincial veterinarian must be informed. If the disease in question is very contagious or dangerous, the report must be made immediately. Diseases to be controlled must generally be reported no later than the next weekday. The suspicion of disease always leads to clinical examination and samples to be taken if necessary. Laboratory examinations are performed by the National Veterinary and Food Research Institute (EELA) or a laboratory certified by it. If necessary, restrictions will also be imposed on the farm to try to prevent the disease spreading.

The notification requirement also concerns other diseases separately mentioned in legislation. Some must be immediately reported, others reported monthly.

OIE List A Diseases

List A diseases are transmissible diseases with the potential for very serious and rapid spread unhindered by national borders, which are of serious socio-economic or public health consequence and which are of major importance in the international trade of animals and animal products. In 1997 there were no list A diseases in Finland. In 1996 Newcastle disease was the only list A disease recorded in Finland. The disease occurred in wild birds kept in captivity. The previous case of list A diseases occurred in Finland back in 1971 when an outbreak of Newcastle disease was recorded in poultry. A summary of list A diseases in Finland is presented in Table 1.

OIE Code	List A disease	Last recorded
A010	Foot and mouth disease	1959
A020	Vesicular stomatitis	Never
A030	Swine vesicular disease	Never
A040	Rinderpest	1877
A050	Peste des petits ruminants	Never
A060	Bovine pleuropneumonia	1920
A070	Lumpy skin disease	Never
A080	Rift Valley fever	Never
A090	Bluetongue	Never
A100	Sheep and goat pox	Never
A110	African horse sickness	Never
A120	African swine fever	Never
A130	Classical swine fever	1917
A150	Avian influenza (fowl plague)	Never
A160	Newcastle disease	1996

Newcastle disease

There were no Newcastle disease outbreaks in Finland in 1997. Two outbreaks occurred in 1996. The first was confirmed in spring when a pigeon type paramyxovirus 1 (PMV-1) was isolated from wild pigeons brought to a research farm at the Oulu University. The second outbreak occurred in autumn in Helsinki Zoo when PMV-1 (not pigeon type) was isolated from wild waterfowl. No cases of Newcastle disease occurred in poultry. The above cases did not interfere with the ND non-vaccinating status of Finland.

Non-vaccinating status as regards Newcastle disease

Within the framework of the EU accession negotiations the status of Finland was established as non-vaccinating as regards Newcastle disease (Commission Decision 94/963/EC of 28 December 1994). In order to maintain this status all poultry breeding establishments must be annually serologically monitored for the presence of ND. These surveys have been carried out since 1993 and in 1997 5016 individual blood samples were examined from 75 establishments. All samples have been negative for ND antibodies.

OIE List B Diseases and other diseases to be officially controlled

Diseases mentioned in the OIE list B are transmissible diseases which are considered to be of socio-economic and/or public health importance within countries and which are significant in the international trade of animals and animal products. Many list B diseases do not occur in Finland and those list B diseases that are encountered here are, with a few exceptions, rare.

1. Multiple species diseases

OIE Code	List B multiple species disease	Last recorded
B051	Anthrax	1988
B052	Aujeszky’s disease	Never
B053	Echinococcosis-hydatidosis	1997 (reindeer)
B055	Heartwater	Never
B056	Leptospirosis	1997 (fox, dog)
B057	Q fever	Never
B058	Rabies	1989
B059	Paratuberculosis	1997
B060	Screwworm (Cochliomyia Hominivorax)	Never

Aujeszky’s disease

Aujeszky’s disease has never been recorded in Finland. In 1997 individual blood samples were taken from 10 536 sows, boars and fattening pigs in slaughterhouses. The animals originated from 5 521 holdings. The samples were examined for Aujeszky’s disease by virus neutralisation test with negative results. Based on its freedom from the disease, Finland was granted additional guarantees relating to Aujeszky’s disease by Commission Decision 94/961/EC of 28 December 1994.

Anthrax

Anthrax is classed by law as a dangerous animal disease, which must be immediately reported. It was last recorded in Finland in 1988 in one bovine herd.

Echinococcosis-hydatidosis

Echinococcosis is controlled mainly in connection with meat inspections at slaughterhouses. From samples taken because of suspected infection, EELA established Echinococcus granulosus in ten reindeer during 1997.

Leptospirosis

Clinical cases of leptospirosis have never been recorded in cattle or pigs in Finland. A few low titres are noted annually in individual cases but in the year under review not one animal titre was high enough to be recorded as positive. Infection with Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae was established during 1997 both by serum and pathological anatomy in one dog and one fox.

Paratuberculosis

In 1993 paratuberculosis was recorded for the first time in Finland since 1920. The diseased bovine had been imported in 1988, when inspection had shown it to be disease-free. A study revealed that paratuberculosis had been recorded in the original herd in 1991. As a result of this incident a serological study was begun in 1993, examining individual blood specimens from beef cattle using the ELISA method. In a survey in 1997, serological studies were carried out on blood samples from 1145 beef cattle, of which 7 tested positive using the ELISA method. 40 other samples were studied for other reasons, largely related to exporting, of which 3 were positive using the ELISA method. Clinical paratuberculosis was found during the year in two different animals of the same beef herd. There has been no selling of live animals from the farm and the owner of the herd in question has decided to stop keeping cattle. It is recommended that further studies be done on cattle testing positive with the ELISA method, to determine the possible incidence of paratuberculosis. Paratuberculosis has never been found among other ruminants in Finland.

Rabies

No cases of rabies were detected in 1997. A total of 451 animals were examined for the rabies. A summary of the examinations is presented in Table 3. The last case of rabies was recorded on 16 Feb 1989. Finland was declared free from rabies at the end of February 1991, when two years had elapsed since the last recorded case of the disease.

In an attempt to prevent the reintroduction of rabies, the annual vaccinations of wildlife were continued in 1997 by distributing 80,000 T�bingen baits by air in a 20-25 km deep and 250 km long zone along Finland?s north-eastern frontier. Wildlife vaccinations have been carried out since 1988. Vaccination of hunting dogs continues to be compulsory and the vaccination of other dogs and cats is recommended. All dogs and cats over three months old imported from countries not free from rabies must be accompanied by a rabies vaccination certificate.

2. Cattle diseases

OIE Code	List B cattle disease	Last recorded
B101	Bovine anaplasmosis	Never
B102	Bovine babesiosis	1997
B103	Bovine brucellosis	1960
B104	Bovine genital campylobacteriosis	Never
B105	Bovine tuberculosis	1982
B106	Bovine cysticercosis	1996
B107	Dermatophilosis	Never
B108	Enzootic bovine leucosis	1996
B109	Haemorrhagic septicaemia	Never
B110	Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis / infectious pustular vulvovaginitis (IBR/IPV)	1994
B111	Theileriosis	Never
B112	Trichomoniasis	1952
B113	Trypanosomiasis	Never
B114	Malignant catarrhal fever	1996
B115	BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy)	Never

Bovine babesiosis

In 1997 practising veterinarians reported 98 cases of bovine babesiosis. The disease mostly occurred in eastern Finland and on the �land islands. The number of cases has been slowly decreasing in recent years.

Bovine brucellosis

Bovine brucellosis (Brucella abortus) was last recorded in 1960. The national control of this disease dates back to the 1920s. From 1950’s up to 1967, when an abortion occurred in a herd, all animals were always examined from individual blood samples. The foetus and placenta had to be sent for testing as well. In 1967-75 brucellosis screening was based on the ABR test and individual blood samples were taken from herds only after several cases of abortion. In 1975-1988 dairy herds were screened annually in the milk control laboratories using the ABR test. The test was compulsory over the entire country and was based on the Milk Control Act.

The milk control regulations were renewed in 1987 and until 1990 the ABR test was run regularly only in herds sending calves to AI breeding units, or in connection with exports and auctions. Since 1990 AI bulls and their herds of origin have been tested by individual blood samples. When several abortions occur in a herd, the possible occurrence of brucellosis must always be ruled out. Within the framework of these examinations, 2715 milk and blood samples were taken from bovine herds and tested for brucellosis with negative results in 1997.

A survey for brucellosis was carried out in 1991, 1992 and 1994 by collecting bulk milk samples from all the Finnish dairy herds. The samples were examined using the ELISA test. All the herds screened were negative for brucellosis. Since 1995 screening has been continued by random sampling. In 1997 bulk milk samples were tested from 2944 dairy herds with negative results.

The occurrence of brucellosis in beef herds has been screened by random sampling since 1994. Herds are tested from individual blood samples. Samples have been taken eg. from all suckler cow herds that have been selling live animals. All samples have been negative for brucellosis. In 1997 a total of 644 samples from beef cattle were tested with negative results.

Based on disease freedom, Finland was granted official brucellosis-free status by Commission Decision 94/960/EC of 28 December 1994. To maintain this status all suspected cases must be officially examined to rule out Brucella abortus infection and continuous surveillance has to be carried out by means of milk or blood samples. In addition, all bulls sent to AI centres must be tested for brucellosis.

Bovine tuberculosis

Bovine tuberculosis was last recorded in 1982 in one herd. The control of bovine tuberculosis in Finland was initiated at the beginning of this century, initially using voluntarily testing. The control methods were developed further and, from 1946 to 1966, all dairy herds were screened for tuberculosis every five years in accordance with the milk control regulations.

Routine screening was abandoned in 1996 following the success of the control measures and a sharp decline in the number of tubercular herds. Screening was then limited to AI bulls, export, import and auctioning. Meat inspection is nowadays the most important factor in the control of tuberculosis. Since 1974 PPD tuberculin has been used for the tuberculin testing. Based on its freedom from the disease, Finland was granted official tuberculosis-free status by Commission Decision 94/959/EC of 28 December 1994.

In 1997 a health inspection programme was begun in order to monitor tuberculosis in deer. The programme concerns farming, breeding, sale and forwarding of Japanese deer, whitetail deer, fallow deer, caribou, roebuck and red deer. The animals are examined for tuberculosis, brucellosis and BHV if they are supplied live and for tuberculosis if they are being bred for meat.

Bovine cysticercosis

Examination for cystericercosis takes place in connection with meat inspection and the suspected cases are sent to EELA for confirmation. Samples studied at EELA revealed no cases of cystericercosis in 1997. The disease is probably not present in Finland.

Enzootic bovine leukosis

Enzootic bovine leukosis has been officially controlled since 1966. At first, control was based on examination of suspicious organs and the screening of herds using haematological methods. From 1966 to 1973, 23 herds were slaughtered in order to eliminate leukosis. After 1979, serological screening was introduced. Screening is done if clinical symptoms or suspicious findings in meat inspection give reason to suspect leukosis. In 1997 a total of 4725 blood and milk samples from beef cattle were tested in studies related to suspected leukosis cases and the programme for combating the disease. There were no new leukosis-positive cases. In 1993, a control programme for leukosis was initiated. The programme was compulsory for herds sending bulls to AI centres and exporting bulls to countries within the EU/EEA area. For other herds the programme has been voluntary. The control programme was ended at the end of 1996, when Finland (excluding the �land islands) was officially granted leukose free status.

The survey on leukosis started in 1990 was continued in 1997. Since 1991 all Finnish dairy herds have been annually screened for leukosis by means of a bulk milk survey using the ELISA method. In 1997 a total of 28,577 herds were examined. The number of positive herds has been gradually decreasing and none of the herds screened in 1997 was found to be leukosis positive. In addition to the bulk milk survey, 2845 individual blood samples from beef herds were tested. No antibodies were found in any of these herds. Thus, no new positive herds have been discovered in the last few years. The last positive herds are located on the �land Islands.

In accordance with the provisions on enzootic bovine leukosis, all positive herds are put under official restrictions, including a ban on the selling of animals except directly to slaughter. The restrictions are lifted once the positive individuals have been slaughtered and the entire herd has been screened by individual blood samples no sooner than 3 months after the slaughter of the last positive animal. At the end of 1996 Finland declared to the EU Commission that the territory of Finland with the exception of the �land Islands is free from enzootic bovine leukosis in accordance with Council Directive 64/432/EEC. A survey of enzootic bovine leukosis has begun in 1997 in �land islands. The objective is to apply for leukosis free status to �land islands as well.

Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis / infectious pustular vulvovaginitis (IBR/IPV)

IBR/IPV was recorded in Finland for the first time in 1990. However, it has been included in the testing scheme of AI bulls since 1981. Herds and individual animals have also been tested for IBR/IPV in connection to imports and exports since the 1970’s.

The infection was first found in a random sample survey of dairy herds in 1990. The bulk milk samples were tested using the ELISA method. Only 6 herds over the whole country have been found to be IBR/IPV positive. The positive animals in the herds were identified by serological testing of individual blood samples. Control is based on the slaughter of infected animals and further testing. The last positive herd was slaughtered in summer 1994.

In 1997, 28577 Finnish dairy herds were screened for IBR/IPV using bulk milk samples tested with the ELISA method. All the samples were negative. In addition to the bulk milk survey, 2845 bloodsamples of beef cattle herds were examined for IBR. All samples gave negative results. In addition to the above surveys a total of 2903 milk and blood samples were taken from cattle in connection to the testing scheme of AI bulls in 1997. The samples were tested for IBR/IPV with negative results.

Based on disease freedom Finland has been granted additional guarantees relating to IBR/IPV by Commission Decision 94/962/EC of 28 December 1994. Maintaining this disease-free status requires continuous monitoring of milk and blood samples.

Malignant catarrhal fever

According to reports from practising veterinarians, sporadic cases of malignant catarrhal fever occur in Finland. In 1997, no cases were reported.

BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy)

BSE has never been detected in Finland. Importation of live bovines from the UK was banned in autumn 1988. Preceding the import ban 66 head of beef cattle had been imported from the UK in 1980’s. The imported animals were traced back in 1990 and the importers and veterinarians were informed on the symptoms of BSE. Suspicious cases were ordered to be notified to the Veterinary and Food Department.

The use of imported meat and bone meal for ruminants was banned in 1990. Using swill for feeding ruminants was banned in 1994. The use of mammalian meat and bone meal of domestic origin as feed for ruminants was banned in 1995.

Understanding of BSE improved in 1996 when research results published in UK showed a possible connection between BSE and the new form of CJD. The Veterinary and Food Department again informed importers and veterinarians. In addition, the Department decided that as soon as the owners are willing to give up the remaining bovines imported from UK the animals will be euthanized and the brains send for laboratory testing to detect BSE. The carcasses of the animals must be disposed of in such a way they cannot end up for human or animal consumption.

The debate on BSE continued in 1997. New study results show that the disease can be passed from a mother to her offspring but the transfer mechanism is uncertain. Following this finding the department sought information from the UK about the number and location of offspring of the animals imported prior to autumn 1988. Veterinarians have been repeatedly urged to send animals suffering symptoms of the central nervous system for BSE testing. In 1997 EELA examined a total of 57 animals , all with negative results. The government will subsidize the value of an animal, that has been ordered to be killed and examined for a suspicion of BSE. At the end of 1997 Finland applied to the European Commission for BSE-free status; handling of the application was deferred by the Commission into 1998.

Black leg (Clostridium chauvoei)

There were no outbreaks of black leg in 1997. One outbreak of black leg occurred in 1996, when four young animals in a bovine herd died from the disease between July-October. As a precautionary measure the other animals in the herd were vaccinated. The previous case of black leg was recorded in one herd back in 1989.

Bovine salmonellosis

Salmonella infection was detected in a total of 97 herds in 1997. Infections were caused by 11 different serotypes (see Table 6). New salmonella infections were reported in 60 herds in 1997. The number of salmonella-positive herds was decreasing towards the end of the year; at the end of 1997 there were 44 herds under official restrictions because of salmonella.

Other cattle diseases in Finland

Information is collected on diseases among cows using two systems. The statistics of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry are compiled from the monthly reports of veterinarians and slaughterhouses while health inspection statistics are based on treatment records of practising veterinarians. Data on calves and beef cattle is mainly based on monthly reports.

In both sets of data, diseases of the udders are the most common group of diseases requiring treatment by a veterinarian. The treatment rate (treatment cases / 100 cows) has not changed significantly in recent years. The second largest number of cows was treated for fertility disorders.

The treatment rate has declined steadily over the past three years, and the same has clearly happened for ketosis.

Muscle degeneration in calves is recorded in about a thousand clinical cases a year. It can be assumed, however, that the cases include a variety of causes for the inability to stand, such as dehydration and muscle atropy resulting from calf diarrhea and fasting. Calf muscle degeneration is very rarely diagnosed in pathological studies and mainly from farms where commercial fertilizers have not been used.

As in previous years, diarrhea caused by the coronavirus (winter dysentery) occurred on a number of farms, mostly in the regions of North Karelia and Savo. The disease often produces symptoms of the respiratory tract in addition to diarrhea, and is also encountered in calves.

Bovine respiratory infection is found in different parts of the country, especially in beef farms. High positive antibody levels are found particularly for parainfluenza-3. Pasteurella-type bacteria, Actinomyces pyogenes and Haemophilus somnus bacteria have been bacteriologically isolated from calves that died with respiratory symptoms.

Actinomyces pyogenes, Bacillus licheniformis and Listeria monocytogenes bacteria have been isolated in abortion cases. Positive parvovirus antibody levels have been recorded in both the embryo and the cow. Evaluating the importance of parvovirus in causing the abortion requires additional studies. Neospora caninum antibodies were found in two herds. During the year neospora studies were carried out on about 50 herds where there had been abortion cases.

The programme for control of Bovine Virus Diarrhoea (BVD), which began in 1994, continued during 1997. A total of 798 herds have joined the programme. On the basis of a bulk milk survey, 118 herds tested positive for BVD antibodies during 1997, of which 14 were new herds. The shedder of the virus was found in two different herds. In studies of beef herds, antibodies were found in 18 samples. A total of 2845 beef herd samples were studied.

There was about the same amount of babesiosis as the year before. In both years the cases were mainly in eastern Finland and the �land Islands.

3. Sheep and goat diseases

OIE Code	List B sheep and goat disease	Last recorded
B151	Ovine epididymitis (Brucella ovis)	Never
B152	Caprine and ovine brucellosis (excl. B.ovis)	Never
B153	Caprine arthritis/enchephalitis (CAEV)	Never
B154	Contagious agalactia	Never
B155	Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia	Never
B156	Enzootic abortion of ewes (ovine chlamydiosis)	Never
B157	Ovine pulmonary adenomatosis	Never
B158	Nairobi sheep disease	Never
B159	Salmonellosis (S. Abortus Ovis)	Never
B160	Scrapie	Never
B161	Maedi-Visna	1996

Caprine and ovine brucellosis (excl. B.ovis)

Brucella melitensis infection has never been recorded in Finland. In 1997, the annual serological screening initiated in 1994 was continued. A total of 3521 sheep and 341 goats were screened with negative results. The samples were taken in conjunction with those for Maedi-Visna from holdings to which production monitoring applies. The sheep came from 345 and the goats from 62 different holdings. (The figures include 37 farms that have both sheep and goats.) The samples were taken from animals over one year old.

Based on disease freedom, Finland was granted official brucellosis-free status by Commission Decision 94/965/EC of 28 December 1994. Maintaining this status means examining all suspected cases of brucellosis, as well as annual serological screening.

Maedi-Visna

Maedi-Visna was recorded in Finland for the first time in 1981 in quarantined imported sheep. The infection was eradicated by slaughtering the quarantined animals. The holding where the quarantine was situated was kept under restrictions for a period of one year. In 1985 all the animals on the holding (112) were tested with negative results.

The first nationwide survey for Maedi-Visna was carried out in 1994. Samples were collected from flocks in the voluntary sheep production control scheme. Individual blood samples were taken from animals older than one year. Two flocks were found to have antibodies. Animals in one of the positive flocks had been purchased from the infected flock mentioned above. In conjunction with an epidemiological study, this flock was again found to be positive in 1994. A total of six other flocks were found to be positive in 1994.

If the number of positive animals is more than 10 %, all animals in the flock are slaughtered. Where less than 10 % are affected, the positive animals and their offspring are slaughtered and the holding is placed under restrictions which include a ban on animal movement except directly to slaughter. These restrictions remain in force until all the animals in the flock have been examined twice with negative results (in 5-7 months and 17-23 months from the slaughter of the positive animals).

In connection with the 1994 survey, a voluntary programme for combating Maedi-Visna was commenced, and serological surveys for this programme were continued in 1995-97. Positive samples have been recorded from 14 different farms, the latest case being in 1996. During 1997 14,496 samples were studied, 14,095 from sheep and 341 from goats. The samples originated from 393 lamb farms, 25 goat farms and 37 mixed farms. No positive farms were found in 1997.

Scrapie

Scrapie has never been found in Finland. A survey was begun in 1995 to establish that Finland is free of scrapie in sheep, examining slaughterhouse material. The survey was continued in 1997. Samples from 406 animals were tested in EELA’s central laboratory, with negative results.

The Veterinary and Food Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry laid down new rules for combating scrapie in October 1997. Flocks of more than 40 ewes and/or goats are required to join a farm-oriented scrapie control programme. Municipal veterinarians check the farms in the programme once a year and at regular intervals the farms must send the heads of lambs and goats over the age of two to be examined for scrapie. The rules also require that all farms in Finland must give notification of any lambs or goats over two years who exhibit symptoms of the central nervous system. The heads of these animals must be sent for scrapie testing unless they recover from the disease.

In September 1997 Finland applied to the EU to be recognized as scrapie-free. The application stressed three factors: (1) scrapie has never been encountered in Finland (2) tough import control policies have allowed the import of lambs and goats only from countries where there is no scrapie (3) Finland has conducted a nationwide survey for scrapie and implemented a farm level surveillance programme, in which keepers of sheep have also been widely informed about scrapie symptoms.

Other diseases among sheep in Finland

The number of sheep in Finland continued to decline in 1997, and this has been reflected in the number of cases treated and sent for pathological examination.

Of other ovine diseases, lesions pointing to orf viral inflammation were observed in a sheep from the province of Lapland. Antibody levels from the farm were positive for orf. Typical of orf are ulcerative lesions around the mouth and nostrils, which are readily subject to secondary bacterial infection.

Listeriosis has been found both in lambs and full-grown sheep. In older animals this generally manifests itself as inflammation of the central nervous system or abortion while in lambs listeriosis can also be a general infection. One of the main causes is regarded as silage with a pH that has not fallen low enough to stop the reproduction of listeria bacteria.

Some of the most common causes of death among lambs are pulmonary and intestinal inflammation. Pasteurella haemolytica or Actinomyces pyogenes bacteria are most commonly isolated from pulmonary inflammation. Abomasal parasites are common causes of diarrhoea especially during grazing and can result in cachexia or anaemia of the animal and dehydration.

Campylobacter has been isolated from stillborn lambs and toxoplasmosis has been serologically confirmed in a case of abortion. The birth of a mummified foetus is typical of toxoplasma-induced abortion. Lambs can also be born at full term but die soon afterwards.

4. Equine diseases

OIE Code	List B horse disease	Last recorded
B201	Contagious equine metritis (CEM)	1993 (imported horse)
B202	Dourine	Never
B203	Epizootic lymphangitis	Never
B204	Equine encephalomyelitis	Never
B205	Equine infectious anaemia	1943
B206	Equine influenza (virus type A)	1997
B207	Equine piroplasmosis	1985 (imported horse)
B208	Equine rhinopneumonitis	1997
B209	Glanders	1943
B210	Horse pox	Never
B211	Equine viral arteritis	1997
B212	Japanese encephalitis	Never
B213	Horse mange	1945
B215	Surra (Trypanosoma evansi)	Never
B216	Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis	Never

Contagious equine metritis (CEM)

During 1997 EELA examined 216 AI stallions. All samples were negative for the bacteria Taylorella equigenitalis causing inflammation of the uterus . This infection was last detected in 1993 in an imported mare. The requirement for CEM testing in connection with imports was abolished in 1994 when the EEA agreement entered into force.

Equine influenza (virus type A)

No isolations of equine influenza virus were made by EELA in 1997. Antibodies against influenza resulting from infections and vaccinations were detected in 13 cases. Horses in national and international equestrian competitions must be vaccinated. Vaccination of trotting horses is not compulsory.

Equine piroplasmosis

Clinical piroplasmosis has not been detected in Finland. Samples from five imported horses were studied in 1997 with negative results.

Equine rhinopneumonitis

Rhinopneumonitis is common in Finland. In sporadic clinical cases there have been abortions, respiratory and neurological symptoms. Samples from 7 aborted equine foetuses were studied at EELA in 1997 but the above herpesvirus was not found. However antibodies were found in 20% of the diagnostical serum samples of the same year.

Equine viral arteritis

In antibody studies carried out by EELA in the 1990s to establish the causes of equine disease, equine viral arteritis antibodies were found in 20% of horses studied, so the virus is fairly common in the horse population. Fortunately we have not experienced the mass abortions described in the literature of the disease.

In 1997 EELA performed serological studies for viral arteritis on 116 samples, of which 30 were positive. Seven samples were studied virologically and one was positive.

Other equine diseases in Finland in 1997

On the basis of monthly reports by veterinarians the most common health problems affecting horses in Finland are various foot problems and colic. Judging from 1997 monthly reports, about 1700 horses have been treated for colic and about 4000 for foot complaints. Another large group of diseases treated were related to sterility, where the treatment of about 1300 horses was reported.

A large proportion of infectious diseases of horses in Finland are various viral infections, recorded from their respiratory symptoms and possibly abortions, as described above. Of bacterial diseases, 91 cases of strangles were reported to have occurred in 1997.

5. Pig diseases

OIE Code	List B pig disease	Last recorded
B251	Atrophic rhinitis	1997
B252	Porcine cysticercosis	Never
B253	Porcine brucellosis	Never
B254	Transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE)	1981
B255	Trichinellosis	1997
B256	Enterovirus enchephalomyelitis	Never
B257	Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS)	Never

Atrophic rhinitis

This sneezing disease is listed by law as a disease to be combated in the health monitoring programme of pig farms. In 1997 one case was recorded from pathological anatomy and confirmed by bacteriological testing. The farm in question did not belong to the voluntary health monitoring programme of pig farms.

Transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE)

Since two TGE cases of foreign origin in 1981, the disease has not been recorded in Finland. In 1992 an annual survey was launched in which individual blood samples are collected from sows, boars and fattening pigs at slaughterhouses. The survey was continued in 1997 by testing 10,534 samples for TGE by the virus neutralisation test. The results were negative. The animals examined originated from 5,521 different holdings.

Based on disease freedom Finland was granted additional guarantees relating to TGE by EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision 68/94/COL of 27 June 1994. Finland has also applied for additional guarantees from the EU in respect of TGE. However, for the time being the application has not been considered. The samples examined for TGE have also been negative for PRCV (porcine respiratory corona virus). PRCV infection has never been detected in Finland.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS)

The incidence of PRRS in Finland was surveyed in 1997 in cooperation with ETT , the Association for Animal Disease Control. In connection with a slaughterhouse survey for AD and TGE, 1306 blood samples taken from sows, hogs and fattening pigs were also tested for PRRS. PRRS examination in turn is part of the voluntary health programme of pigfarms. AI boars were also tested for PRRS. For this and also in connection with exports, 470 blood samples were tested for PRRS. All samples have been negative.

Salmonella infection of pigs

Salmonella infection was found in two pig farms in 1997. The causes were serotype S. Typhimurium, phage type 1 and S. Enteritidis, phage type 8.

Trichinellosis

Year	No of cases	No of pos. farms
1986	4	2
1987	28	14
1988	72	15
1989	31	10
1990	50	16
1991	44	19
1992	8	5
1993	10	7
1994	18	10
1995	43	2
1996	217	4
1997	0	0

Meat inspection of meat-eating game animals (bears, wild pigs, etc.) and of pigs and horses always includes laboratory examination for trichinellosis. If found the whole carcass is destroyed. Trichinellosis was not found in domesticated pigs or horses in 1997, but it was found in three bears and six farm-bred wild boars.

Other diseases among pigs in Finland in 1997

The diseases of pigs defined by law as diseases to be controlled are salmonella and trichinellosis. The following infections are monitored on pig farms as part of the voluntary health control programme: Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection, atrophic rhinitis, swine dysentery, Actinobacillus pleuroneumoniae, Clostridium perfringens type C and Sarcoptic mange. In June 1997 PRRS (porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome), swine influenza and PRCV (porcine respiratory corona virus) were added to the list of controlled diseases for pig farms belonging to the voluntary health control programme. This programme is intended principally for farms participating in swine improvement and those selling breeding pigs. There were about 200 farms in the programme in 1997.

Of controlled diseases, and in addition to the salmonella infection noted above, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection was established in 1997 at one pigfarm belonging to the voluntary health control programme.

On the basis of monthly reports to the Ministry’s Veterinary and Food Department, the most common diseases among pigs were virtually unchanged from the previous year. Monthly reports showed about 11,900 cases of agalactia syndrome in 1997, which is about the same number as the year before. There were also 4,700 cases of swine erysipelas and 1,200 cases of Gl�sser�s disease in 1997, as in the year before.

The most significant pulmonary infection among pigs, according to monthly veterinarian reports to the Veterinary and Food Department, was Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. This disease reduces the growth rate of pigs and predisposes swine to pneumonia caused by other respiratory pathogens.

On the basis of samples sent to EELA, hemolytic E. coli bacteria were common causes of enteritis in piglets. Diarrhea in fattening pigs was often caused by Serpulina bacteria.

6. Poultry diseases

OIE Code	List B poultry disease	Last recorded
B301	Avian infectious bronchitis (IB)	1970’s
B302	Avian infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT)	1978
B303	Avian tuberculosis	1995 (ostrich)
B304	Duck virus hepatitis	Never
B305	Duck virus enteritis	Never
B306	Fowl cholera	1970’s
B307	Fowl pox	Never
B308	Fowl typhoid (S. Gallinarum)	Never
B309	Infectious bursal disease (Gumboro disease)	1993
B310	Marek’s disease	1997
B311	Avian mycoplasmosis (M. gallisepticum)	1988
B312	Avian chlamydiosis	Never
B313	Pullorum disease (S. Pullorum)	1961

Avian infectious bronchitis (IB)

No cases of IB were recorded in 1997. Since the IB outbreak in Sweden in 1995, some Finnish establishments also started vaccinations with inactivated vaccine. The use of live vaccine is banned in Finland.

Fowl cholera

No cases of fowl cholera were recorded in 1997. Nor were any milder cases of Pasteurella multocida infections detected.

Infectious bursal disease (Gumboro disease)

A few cases of subclinical Gumboro disease were detected in 1997 but clinical cases of Gumboro disease have not been recorded in Finland since 1993. Most of the parent and grandparent flocks, as well as part of the commercial flocks, have been vaccinated against Gumboro disease. Both live and inactivated vaccines are used. Large-scale vaccination programmes were introduced following the 1993 epidemic.

Marek’s disease

Marek’s disease is fairly common in Finland. At the moment it constitutes the most important infectious disease of egg-laying hens in Finland. All commercial flocks and most parent flocks are vaccinated with either THV (turkey herpes virus) or Rispens vaccines. The parent stocks of broilers are vaccinated with THV vaccine.

Avian tuberculosis

Avian tuberculosis was not recorded in 1997. Towards the end of 1995 avian tuberculosis caused by M.avium intracellulare was recorded in three imported ostriches, all from the same import consignment. The previous case of avian tuberculosis in Finland was in 1983.

Turkey rhinotracheitis / swollen head syndrome (TRT / SHS)

TRT/SHS has never been diagnosed in Finland and no positive samples have been found in connection with the serological survey carried out in 1993-1997. In 1997 4,916 samples were tested, with negative results.

Based on disease freedom Finland was granted additional guarantees relating to TRT/SHS by EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision 195/94/COL of 30 November 1994. Finland has also applied for additional guarantees from the EU in respect of TRT/SHS. However, for the time being the application has not been considered.

Poultry salmonellosis

Salmonella infection was recorded in two commercial egg laying flocks in 1997. The infections were caused by the serotype S.Typhimurium. No salmonella was detected in poultry breeding establishments in the egg-laying sector.

In broilers salmonella was isolated from 21 flocks in 1997. The share of positive flocks was 0.7 % of the total of 2,051 flocks slaughtered in 1997. The serotype distribution is presented in Table 12.

Salmonella was found among turkeys in three farms in 1997. In all cases the cause of the infection was found to be S. Enteritidis, phage type 4.

General poultry disease situation in Finland in 1997

The general state of disease among poultry in Finland is extremely good. Health inspection of poultry flocks dates from 1989 and was developed mainly for farms specializing in chick production. Its aim is to monitor of the effectiveness of vaccination and the pathology of participating farms. It covers the diseases most important for the poultry in question as well the main inherited diseases. In connection with the health control programme, studies are currently being made of Gumboro disease, infectious Avian Encephalomyelitis (AE), Mycoplasma gallisepticum Mycoplasma synoviae infections, Infectious Bronchitis (IB), infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) and blue-wing disease (CAV) antibodies. Finland has no incidence of IB, ILT or mycoplasma infection.

Treatment of poultry diseases is based on prevention. Application and planning of preventative measures are more effective when the incidence of disease agents and their economic impact are understood by all producers. Possible increases in mortality and lowered output are studied from carcasses sent by farms and if necessary on-site visits.

Several cases of myeloid leucosis, a new poultry disease in Finland, were recorded in 1997 in broiler breeding farms. It has not been diagnosed in rearing farms. In established cases of myeloid leucosis flock mortality has increased in broiler egg production plants in an age range of 27-33 weeks. The birds have also been serologically examined at EELA for all major viral diseases, and no antibodies for viral infection have been found. Myeloid leucosis has not been found in the egg production chain.

7. Lagomorph diseases

OIE Code	List B lagomorph disease	Last recorded
B351	Myxomatosis	Never
B352	Tularaemia	1997
B353	Viral haemorrhagic disease of rabbits (VHD)	Never

Tularaemia

Ten to twenty cases of tularaemia annually have been found in the past few years. In 1997 a total of nine cases were found in forest rabbits. There were no cases in hares.

Animal species	No of animals examined
Red fox	119
Racoon dog	203
Cat	19
Stoat	6
Dog	7
Bat	1
Badger	21
Lynx	3
Bovine	5
Bear	3
Mink	51
Tail marten	8
Otter	1
Beaver	1
Elk	1
Wolf	2
Total	451

S. Abony	1
S. Agona	7
S. Bredeney	2
S. Enteritidis	3
S. Hadar	1
S. Havana	1
S. Infantis	60
S. Mbandaka	1
S. Poona	8
S. Typhimurium	14
S. spp.	1
Total	99

S. Anatum	5
S. Infantis	9
S. Livingstone	5
S. spp.	2
Total	21

Year	Total no. of samples	No. of positive samples
1993	897	7
1994	1580	3
1995	55	2
1996	76	2
1997	1185	10

Animal Diseases in Finland 1997

Combat and prevention of animal diseases