Capua I, Dalla Pozza M, Mutinelli F, Marangon S, Terregino C
National Reference Laboratory for Newcastle, Disease and Avian Influenza, Virology Department.
Vet Rec. 2002 May 4;150(18):565-8. doi: 10.1136/vr.150.18.565.
Among the consequences of the epidemic of highly pathogenic avian influenza which affected Italy between 1999 and 2000 was an epidemic of Newcastle disease in northern and central Italy. It affected industrially reared poultry, dealer flocks and backyard flocks, with a total of 254 outbreaks notified up to December 31, 2000. Virological investigations yielded virulent isolates of Newcastle disease virus, which produced intracerebral pathogenicity indices ranging from 1.6 to 2.0 and which, on the basis of their monoclonal antibody binding patterns, could be classified as belonging to group C1. The clinical, gross and microscopical findings were typical of Newcastle disease, and different avian species were susceptible to different degrees. Chickens and guinea fowl appeared to be the most susceptible, followed by pheasants, turkeys and ostriches. The epidemiological inquiry highlighted the crucial role of a broiler hatchery in initiating the epidemic, and of dealers in perpetuating it. The control measures imposed by Directive 92/66/EEC are discussed with reference to the outbreaks in backyard flocks.
1999年至2000年期间，高致病性禽流感疫情在意大利爆发，其后果之一是意大利北部和中部地区爆发了新城疫。疫情影响了工业化养殖的家禽、经销商的禽群和家庭饲养的禽群，截至2000年12月31日，共报告了254起疫情。病毒学调查分离出了新城疫病毒的强毒株，其脑内致病性指数在1.6至2.0之间，根据其单克隆抗体结合模式，可归类为C1组。临床、大体和显微镜检查结果均为新城疫的典型表现，不同禽类对其易感性程度不同。鸡和珍珠鸡似乎最易感染，其次是雉鸡、火鸡和鸵鸟。流行病学调查突出了一家肉鸡孵化场在引发疫情方面的关键作用，以及经销商在疫情持续传播方面的作用。文中还参照家庭饲养禽群的疫情，讨论了92/66/EEC指令规定的控制措施。
