Animal Health in Denmark 2017 - September 2018
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Animal
Health
in Denmark
2017
September 2018
© Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark 1st edition, 1st impression, September 2018 ISBN: 978-87-93147-14-0 Publication number: 2018206 Impression: 300 copies Design by: ESSENSEN® Photos by: Danish Veterinary and Food administration, Lars Bahl, Thomas Varto Nielsen, Colourbox Printed by: GP-TRYK
Animal
Health
in Denmark
2017
September 2018
Contents
Preface 3
1. Animal health surveillance and contingency planning 4
2. Livestock disease status 18
2.1. Multiple species diseases 21
2.2. Cattle diseases 31
2.3. Sheep and goat diseases 39
2.4. Swine diseases 44
2.5. Poultry diseases 51
2.6. Equine diseases 60
2.7. Fur animal diseases 65
2.8. Fish diseases 68
2.9. Mollusc diseases 74
3. Animal by-products 76
4. Livestock statistics 79
5. Index of diseases 82
6. Animal health contacts in Denmark 84
Preface
It is a pleasure for me to present the 2017 Annual Report on Animal Health in
Denmark on behalf of the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (DVFA).
This Annual Report first gives a general presentation of the Danish animal health
surveillance and contingency planning.
The report then reviews developments in 2017 in the field of animal health in
Denmark, the focus being on the OIE-listed diseases and the animal diseases that
are notifiable in Denmark.
The report also provides statistical information and an overview of surveillance
that may be useful for reference purposes. Furthermore, the report contains
statistics on animal by-products as well as livestock statistics.
I hope that you will find the information in this Annual Report useful; however,
please visit our website at www.dvfa.dk if you need further details. If you cannot
find the information you are looking for, please do not hesitate to contact my
staff or me.
Camilla Brasch Andersen
Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer
Head of the Animal Health Division
Preface Animal Health in Denmark 3
1. Animal health
surveillance and
contingency planning
Prevention and control of animal of animal welfare to prevent infections in humans Information on livestock
statistics is given in Chapter
diseases and animals and because of food safety and trade
4 of this report.
As the competent veterinary authority, the Danish interests. The extensive trade in Danish animals
Veterinary and Food Administration (DVFA) is re- and animal products is highly dependent of a good For many years, the number
sponsible for the prevention and control of animal health status of Danish livestock. For many years, of cloven-hoofed animals im-
ported to Denmark has been
diseases in Denmark. the number of cloven-hoofed animals imported remarkably low, as appears
to Denmark has been remarkably low, as appears from Table 26 (Chapter 4).
Denmark has a long history of intensive animal from Table 26 (Chapter 4). The basis for issuing
The basis for issuing export
food production and trade in animals and animal export certificates for Danish products is described
certificates for Danish
products. Relative to the size of the country in Box 4. products is described in
and compared with other countries, the level of Box 4.
animal production is quite high, and production The DVFA constantly aims at adapting the legal
has increased over the past decades. Information framework of disease control to changes in farming
on livestock statistics is given in Chapter 4 of this practices, disease risks, etc. To this end, the con-
report. tingency plans for disease outbreaks are revised
on a regular basis and operational capabilities are
Disease eradication and control programmes have continuously being improved to provide a prompt
been developed in parallel with the increase in ani- and effective response to every single suspected
mal production in order to improve animal health, case or outbreak of a notifiable infectious livestock
animal welfare and the production of healthy foods. disease.
Diseases in animals are controlled due to concerns
4 Animal Health in Denmark 1. Animal health surveillance & contingency planning
Animal Health in Denmark 1. Animal health surveillance & contingency planning 5
A description of all notifiable animal diseases
in Denmark is available at www.fvst.dk
Improvements are carried out, the emphasis being out cleaning and disinfection and, if necessary,
on: carry out emergency vaccination.
• Reduction of the probability of the introduction The notifiable animal diseases listed in Executive
of exotic livestock diseases in Denmark. Order No. 1332 of 18 November 2016 are divided
• Minimisation of the risk that a disease will spread into two groups: list 1 and list 2 diseases. Any
across the nation by restricting hazardous ani- suspicion of a disease on list 1 must immediately
mal trade practices and improving biosecurity be notified to the DVFA, whereas notification of a
measures in peacetime. disease on list 2 is only mandatory after confirma-
• Effective disease surveillance and early tion of the disease. The Danish list 1 of notifiable
detection of diseases. diseases includes all serious diseases in animals
• Appropriate and effective actions for the control as well as several zoonotic diseases. A description
of disease outbreaks. of all notifiable animal diseases in Denmark is
available at www.fvst.dk (in Danish).
Animal disease preparedness
Obligation to notify suspicions Effective surveillance for clinical diseases is
The Danish Animal Health Act1 is the legislative required for early detection of disease outbreaks.
basis for the current notification procedures. The According to the Animal Health Act, any farmer
Act also lays down the animal diseases notifiable is obliged to call a veterinarian right away if he
in Denmark and gives powers to require the suspects a notifiable disease. The veterinarian
notification of suspected cases of those diseases. must immediately notify the relevant Veterinary
Furthermore, the Act gives powers to carry out Inspection Unit (VIU) of the DVFA if he suspects a
diagnostic and epidemiological investigations, disease on list 1. A veterinary officer from the VIU
impose movement restrictions, create protection will inspect the herd within a specified number of
and surveillance zones, control movements within hours (three or five hours depending on whether
such zones, take samples, slaughter infected and the suspicion is raised at a slaughterhouse or
in-contact animals, pay compensation, destroy a farm) and make a report to the DVFA on the
carcasses and potentially infective materials, carry suspected case. If the veterinary officer cannot rule
1
The Animal Health Act has been amended since the year under review.
The Act was most recently amended by Consolidation Act No. 998 of 2 July 2018. (in Danish).
6 Animal Health in Denmark 1. Animal health surveillance & contingency planning
Box 1
Review of the general contingency plan for the prevention
and control of animal diseases in Denmark – 2017 follow-up
In 2012, the Danish Veterinary and Food The next result of the project, the identifi- In 2017, the project focused on the
Administration (DVFA) launched a project cation of the training needs of DVFA staff, development of a simulation model for
to evaluate the status of the general was achieved in 2015. An upgrade of the African swine fever outbreaks in the
contingency plan to obtain an assessment training programme was initiated after Danish pig population. The modelling
of the emergency status relative to the the knowledge needed by staff to take studies identified a new and superior
current disease risks and the organisa- on specific tasks in case of outbreaks had method for early detection of African
tional changes to both the DVFA and the been identified. swine fever (ASF) by performing PCR
farming industry. testing of one dead animal per pig holding
In 2015, a report was made of the results per day in ASF control zones. Therefore,
The project developed recommendations of the economic cost-effectiveness the ASF contingency plan will be updated
on possible adjustments to the contin- analysis of operational capabilities. The to ensure the use of this surveillance
gency plan and the development of an direct and indirect costs for preventing method in case of an outbreak.
economic model for more cost-effective the introduction of diseases in Denmark,
operational capabilities. running surveillance programmes, and
maintaining biosecurity procedures and
2017
The first result achieved in 2014 was a animal traceability systems are mainly
model developed to estimate the need covered by pig farmers (DKK 148 million
for staff and resources during outbreaks annually) and cattle farmers (DKK 63
of animal diseases. The model details the million annually). The Government (and
need for staff with specialised compe- thus the taxpayers) mainly defrays the
tences as well as many types of equip- operating costs for maintaining oper
ment needed in different scenarios during ational capabilities, which amount to DKK In 2017, the project focused
a large outbreak of a notifiable infectious 27 million annually. These costs must
on the development
livestock disease. be weighed against the expected losses
associated with an outbreak of foot and
of a simulation model for
mouth disease in Denmark, which would African swine fever outbreaks
be in the order of DKK 8-9 billion. in the Danish pig population.
Animal Health in Denmark 1. Animal health surveillance & contingency planning 7
The DVFA offers compensation to animal owners
who suffer a loss due to a notifiable disease.
out the suspicion of a list 1 disease, official restric- If a suspected case is deemed to be of potential in- The role of the private
tions are imposed on the herd, and test material is terest to the general public and/or export markets, veterinarian in animal health
surveillance in Denmark is
collected and dispatched to the National Veterinary the website announcement will be followed up by described in Box 2.
Institute, Technical University of Denmark. a press release and targeted information to the em-
bassies of the main export markets. The database
As a second line of defence, official veterinarians is publicly available at www.fvst.dk (in Danish).
are responsible for inspecting all animals at shows
and assembly centres (whether for production, Compensation for losses caused by notifiable
slaughter or export). Also ante-mortem inspections diseases
and post-mortem examinations at slaughterhouses The DVFA offers compensation to animal owners
are important elements of the surveillance system. who suffer a loss due to a notifiable disease. The
offer of compensation contributes significantly
The role of the private veterinarian in animal health to compliance with the obligation to notify listed
surveillance in Denmark is described in Box 2. diseases.
Handling of suspected cases In case of an outbreak of a notifiable disease that
The DVFA ensures the uniform handling of all implies the loss of animals and/or eggs and the
suspected cases through the application of ‘action destruction of contaminated feed, the DVFA offers
cards’, which have been developed for most of the compensation for the value of the animals, eggs
notifiable diseases. The action cards available on and feed. In most outbreaks, this value is estimated
the DVFA intranet list all necessary actions to be by a valuation committee. The committee has
taken while handling a suspected case. three members, one appointed by the herd owner,
one appointed by the DVFA and one being an
Transparency in dealing with suspected cases employee of the DVFA. The premises are cleaned
and outbreaks and disinfected according to a fixed plan, the
All suspected cases of a notifiable disease will cleaning and disinfection being paid by the DVFA.
immediately be announced on the website of the Furthermore, the DVFA pays 20% of the estimated
DVFA. This database resource displays informa- loss of income due to the loss of production. If the
tion on each individual suspicion. This is done outbreak is in either cattle or pigs, the Pig Levy
to increase the awareness among farmers and Fund or the Cattle Levy Fund covers the remaining
veterinarians of the potential presence of the loss of income.
relevant notifiable disease.
8 Animal Health in Denmark 1. Animal health surveillance & contingency planningPathogen-specific surveillance The DVFA has special focus on infectious diseases Several Danish surveillance
programmes are mentioned
Denmark has several pathogen-specific surveil- that have increased in incidence in other countries
in Chapter 2 of this report.
lance programmes aimed at demonstrating the and may further spread in the near future and
absence of diseases that usually cause insignificant potentially be introduced into Danish territories. See more information on the
assessment of the threat of
clinical symptoms, or at determining the occur- The DVFA has implemented a rapid and systematic
disease introduction in Box 3
rence, prevalence or distribution of diseases or model for assessing the threat of disease introduc- in this chapter.
infections. The surveillance method used depends tion in case of disease outbreaks in other EU Mem-
on the disease and the purpose of the programme, ber States or certain countries outside the EU. See
and usually a combination of different surveillance more information on the assessment of the threat
methods is applied. Several Danish surveillance of disease introduction in Box 3 in this chapter.
programmes are mentioned in Chapter 2 of this
report.
Animal Health in Denmark 1. Animal health surveillance & contingency planning 9Box 2
The role of private veterinarians in national contingency plans
Denmark has a high level of preparedness Further, a VASC provides the farmer with immediately. In such situation, the private
for notifiable diseases in animals involv- extended treatment possibilities. veterinarian is obliged to inspect the
ing the full range of entities and persons herd and the animals in question and to
involved: authorities, private veterinarians The most important aims of VASCs are to evaluate whether further action should
and farmers. In 1995, the first veterinary maintain focus on advice and the preven- be taken. Depending on the suspected
advisory service contracts (VASCs) were tion of diseases rather than treatment to disease, the private veterinarian then con-
signed with owners of herds of cattle ensure the prudent use of antimicrobials tacts the relevant Veterinary Inspection
and pigs. In 2010, it became mandatory to minimise antimicrobial resistance and Unit (VIU) of the Danish Veterinary and
for owners of large herds of cattle and hence improve animal welfare. Having Food Administration (DVFA). A veterinary
pigs and for mink farm owners to sign a signed a VASC, the farmer consults the officer from the VIU will then inspect the
VASC. Small cattle and pig holdings may same veterinarian every time. This gives herd within a specified number of hours
be registered for advisory services on a the veterinarian a unique insight into the and report the suspected case to the
voluntary basis. health of the herd and enables a faster DVFA. All suspected cases of notifiable dis-
reaction to disease outbreaks in the herd. eases will immediately be registered in a
A central element of a VASC is frequent Private veterinarians are also part of the database and announced on the website
veterinary advisory visits to the farm, national contingency plans. If a farmer of the DVFA. Depending on the nature of
creating a one-on-one relationship suspects a notifiable animal disease, the suspected disease, the international
between the farmer and the veterinarian. he is obliged to contact his veterinarian animal health organisations will also be
notified. A national database and a web
interface have been set up to increase
the awareness among farmers and
The veterinarian acts as a first-line defence veterinarians of the potential presence
in the surveillance of notifiable animal diseases. of certain notifiable diseases.
A VASC is a means to ensure that the
veterinarian advises the farmer of ways
to increase the general health of his
herd, while the veterinarian also acts as
a first-line defence in the surveillance of
notifiable animal diseases.
10 Animal Health in Denmark 1. Animal health surveillance & contingency planningExamples of Danish surveillance programmes for Animal identification and registration See more information on
emerging diseases are given below. Denmark has a comprehensive system for animal the surveillance scheme for
West Nile virus in Denmark
identification and registration (I&R) based on:
in Box 6 in section 2.1 of this
Cattle farmers are offered laboratory examination • A central database report.
of material from abortions (foetus, placenta and • Holding registers
See more information on the
blood sample from the mother cow). Through post- • Ear tags
supplementary surveillance
mortem examinations and microbiological and • Movement registrations for African swine fever and
histological examinations, the material is examined • On-the-spot inspections classical swine fever in Box 7
for brucellosis, bovine virus diarrhoea and any new in section 2.4 of this report.
emerging infections. The Central Husbandry Register See more information on
The most important element of the I&R system is the non-existence of porcine
Blood samples from outdoor poultry are tested the national database called the Central Husbandry epidemic diarrhoea virus in
Denmark in Box 8 in section
for West Nile fever. See more information on the Register (CHR), which is owned and operated by
2.4 of this report.
surveillance scheme for West Nile virus in Denmark the DVFA.
in Box 6 in section 2.1 of this report.
The CHR stores information on all farms with cattle,
Carcasses of pigs submitted for post-mortem pigs, sheep, goats, deer, fur animals, aquaculture
examination are tested for classical swine fever and animals and commercial herds of poultry and
African swine fever. See more information on the game birds. The information recorded on each
supplementary surveillance for African swine fever holding is its unique holding code, the address and
and classical swine fever in Box 7 in section 2.4 of the geographic coordinates of the holding, data
this report. regarding the owner and keeper of the relevant
herds (name, address and contact details), animal
A special surveillance programme for porcine species, number of animals of all species2 , alloca-
epidemic diarrhoea was initiated by the DVFA in tion of ear tags and veterinary information (e.g. if
2014 and continued in 2017. See more information official restrictions are imposed on the herd).
on the non-existence of porcine epidemic diar-
rhoea virus in Denmark in Box 8 in section 2.4 of The CHR also stores information on each individual
this report. head of cattle. Information on the individual animal
2
For aquaculture farms, the annual production is recorded in kilograms.
Animal Health in Denmark 1. Animal health surveillance & contingency planning 11The Central Husbandry Register
is publicly available at https://chr.fvst.dk
includes the unique animal identification code, failure to comply with the provisions on animal
date of birth, breed, sex, identification code of the identification and registration. This implies that the
dam (in case of embryo transfer both the genetic relevant farmer is not allowed to move animals
and surrogate dams are recorded), information on from his holding, and no accompanying movement
offspring (only for females), allocation of ear tags, documents will be issued.
including replacement tags, all movements of the
animal (date, place and type of movement) and Moreover, to ensure the production of safe food,
veterinary events, if any. In 1999, the European all slaughterhouses must consult the CHR before
Commission approved the CHR as being a fully slaughtering cattle to make sure that the individual
operational database for cattle registration. animal is correctly recorded in the CHR, and that
the relevant animal or herd is not under restric-
Finally, movements of pigs, sheep and goats are tions. Before slaughtering pigs, sheep and goats,
recorded in the CHR. For each batch of animals slaughterhouses must also make sure that the herd
moved, the following information is recorded: from which the animals are shipped to slaughter is
Number of animals moved, date of shipment, not under restrictions.
identification numbers of the holdings involved
and registration number and country code of the Disease control
vehicle used for transportation (only for move- Contingency plans
ments of pigs). Being prepared is an important precautionary
principle to enable a rapid and effective response
The Central Husbandry Register is publicly to any outbreak of an infectious disease. Almost
available at https://chr.fvst.dk (in Danish). every year, outbreaks of diseases occur in nearby
countries with comparable intensive animal
The use of the CHR to control animal diseases production systems.
The CHR is an effective tool for tracing contact
herds to herds suspected of or infected with a Despite a history of few disease outbreaks, the
notifiable disease. Furthermore, the CHR helps DVFA has put great efforts into preparing and
control any further spreading of diseases, since the revising its contingency plans. These plans include
competent authority will impose movement restric- all necessary actions to be taken when handling
tions on holdings and individual animals should a infected herds in order to ensure an efficient
suspected case arise or a notifiable disease break control of a disease outbreak.
out. Restrictions will also be imposed in case of
12 Animal Health in Denmark 1. Animal health surveillance & contingency planningBox 3
Assessment of the threat of disease introduction
The Danish Veterinary and Food Admin- a potential introduction of the disease The DVFA has implemented
istration (DVFA) monitors outbreaks of into the livestock population. If the a rapid and systematic
high-impact animal diseases in the EU, the overall estimation shows that the threat is
model for qualitative
Nordic countries and countries neigh- non-negligible, the DVFA will consider the
bouring the EU. initiation of risk mitigation actions.
assessments of the threat
of disease introduction
The increase in global mobility, trade in Results of the assessments are made
live animals and animal products, and publicly available by the DVFA at
interaction with livestock production www.fvst.dk (in Danish). If necessary,
systems in other countries, e.g. through important risk mitigation actions to be
transport vehicles, pose the risk that for- taken are suggested in these reports, e.g.
eign infectious diseases will be introduced the tracing of imports, increased aware-
into Denmark. ness of vehicles for international transport
of animals, the testing of recently import-
The DVFA has implemented a rapid and ed live animals and specific information to
systematic model for qualitative assess- relevant groups of the public.
ments of the threat of disease introduc-
tion in case of disease outbreaks in other
EU Member States or certain countries
outside the EU.
In 2017, specific threat assessments were
made for avian influenza, African swine
fever and West Nile fever due to out-
breaks in the EU and countries neigh
bouring the EU.
Such assessments include an evalua-
tion of the risk that the disease will be
introduced into Danish territories, the
risk that Danish herds will be exposed
to the disease and the consequences of
Animal Health in Denmark 1. Animal health surveillance & contingency planning 13All contingency plans are publicly
available at www.fvst.dk
The general contingency plan and the disease- Vaccination policy
specific plans The methods for disease control in the Danish con-
The Danish contingency plans comprise an overall tingency plans are quarantining of farms suspected
eradication strategy, tools for eradication, a crisis of housing infected animals, culling of infected
organisation and a crisis communication plan. animals, cleaning and disinfection, and zoning.
The disease-specific manuals include operational In general, preventive vaccination is banned.
instructions for those involved in managing the
response to the following diseases: foot and mouth However, following an epidemiological analysis
disease, classical swine fever, African swine fever, of the disease situation, the DVFA may use
bovine spongiform encephalopathy, scrapie, avian emergency vaccination to control an outbreak.
influenza, Newcastle disease, bluetongue, lumpy However, emergency vaccination requires an
skin disease, Rift Valley fever, peste des petits approval by the European Commission.
ruminants, sheep pox and goat pox, epizootic
haemorrhagic disease, African horse sickness, Disease control and eradication
West Nile fever and diseases in aquaculture. – ‘the Danish Model’
All contingency plans are publicly available at Denmark has a long tradition of eradicating animal
www.fvst.dk (in Danish). diseases. By the mid-1900s, tuberculosis and
brucellosis had been eradicated from domestic
The following types of specific information are livestock in Denmark as the result of the close
included in the disease-specific contingency plans: collaboration between the veterinary research
characteristics and epidemiology of the disease, laboratory, the veterinary administration authority
sampling procedures, disease-specific cleaning and and the industry since the end of the 1800s.
disinfection procedures, restriction zones, instruc-
tions for screening, and emergency vaccination. Initially, the animal farming industry launched a
voluntary initiative to control the occurrence of
All contingency plans are regularly updated to infections. This initiative gained broad support from
be in line with the experience gained in other all farmers, and effective eradication measures
European countries. Updates are also based on were subsequently supported by legislation.
experience gained from simulation exercises and
from handling actual outbreaks, changes in farm- Several animal diseases besides tuberculosis and
ing practices, revisions to EU legislation and new brucellosis have been eradicated in Denmark due
knowledge. to the efficient ‘Danish model’, e.g. enzootic bovine
14 Animal Health in Denmark 1. Animal health surveillance & contingency planningleukosis, Aujeszky’s disease, infectious bovine veterinary officers specifically trained in managing
rhinotracheitis, bluetongue and viral haemorrhagic suspected cases and outbreaks of notifiable animal
septicaemia. diseases.
The disease control organisation Training
Danish legal powers, financial provisions and the The veterinarians of the DVFA, including veterinar-
direct chain of command facilitate the response ians of the VIUs, plan and prepare training in prac
of the public administration to an outbreak of a tical issues related to the contingency plans and
notifiable disease. Plans are in place for the train field staff through seminars, targeted courses
operation of the National Disease Control Centre and the participation in simulation exercises.
(NDCC) and the establishment of a Local Disease
Control Centre (LDCC). Veterinary officers from the DVFA maintain their
expertise in recognising the symptoms of specific
In the event of an outbreak, the NDCC is first notifiable diseases at the National Veterinary
staffed by employees of the central offices of Institute, Technical University of Denmark. At the
the DVFA, and the LDCC by employees of the Institute, the veterinary officers are given the op-
relevant VIU(s). The DVFA has three VIUs with local portunity to observe the development of diseases
Animal Health in Denmark 1. Animal health surveillance & contingency planning 15Box 4 Certification of animal products EU legislation lays down the general principles and requirements of food law. According to Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002, Member States exporting products of animal origin must generally comply with bilateral agreements with third countries. However, products of animal origin complying with the relevant EU legislation may be exported to all third countries at the exporter’s own expense and risk. Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 governs official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law, animal health and animal welfare rules. The issuing of certificates for products Certificates will be issued based on facts If an animal disease breaks out, all of animal origin is based on national obtained within the context of monitoring Danish certificates of animals and animal legislation (Executive Order No. 555 of 29 programmes, officially recognised quality products in which data on disease May 2017 implementing Council Directive assurance schemes and epidemiological status have been certified are immedi- 96/93/EC). Certificates must be based on surveillance programmes by a person ately assessed by the DVFA, and no new a thorough investigation of the back- authorised by the competent authority. certificates will be issued if certified data ground to the certification. Furthermore, The certifying officer must not certify data no longer apply. the certifying officer must be impartial of which s/he has no personal knowledge and independent from commercial inter- or which cannot be ascertained. No blank ests. According to the rules for issuing cer- or incomplete certificates, or certificates tificates in Denmark, certificates may be for products which have not been issued on the basis of regular auditing and inspected or are no longer available verification procedures at establishments. for inspection, can be issued. 16 Animal Health in Denmark 1. Animal health surveillance & contingency planning
in research experiments, e.g. in pigs artificially • Evaluation seminars: Each year, the lessons
infected with classical or African swine fever. learned from all exercises are evaluated. The
learning obtained is used for updating contin-
Simulation exercises gency plans and internal procedures and is
Simulation exercises constitute an important tool incorporated into the exercises the following
for testing contingency plans, but are also used year to create a multiplier effect.
for the education and training of DVFA staff and
different stakeholders in emergency situations. Simulation exercises are conducted at regional
Furthermore, exercises may be used for testing level, at national level and, due to the close co-
new equipment and procedures. operation among the Nordic and Baltic countries
(the Nordic-Baltic Veterinary Contingency Group
The concept of two-year exercise programmes that (N-B VCG)), also as cross-border exercises at inter-
was put in place by the DVFA in 2015 continued national level. Full-scale exercises are conducted at
through 2017 with focus on different categories of an interval of 3-5 years, and extensive contingency
exercises and diseases. exercises are carried out regularly for all eight
Nordic and Baltic countries.
The following categories of exercises are applied
in the Danish training programme: The exercises may involve a number of stake
holders, such as the National Reference Laboratory,
• Procedure exercises: Training in disease- the Danish Emergency Management Agency,
handling procedures. the National Police, agricultural organisations,
• Dilemma exercises: Desktop exercises to slaughterhouses and rendering plants.
simulate a specific dilemma or train the use of
new software. In 2017, Denmark participated in a joint Nordic-
• Crisis management exercises: Exercises with Baltic African horse sickness simulation exercise
a broader scope, such as the assessment of planned by the N-B VCG, an excercise involving
resources, setting up of crisis centres, actions more than 400 participants. As a member of the
to control outbreaks, communication, and N-B VCG, Denmark also took part in the planning
collaboration between national or international of this simulation exercise.
partners as either local training or full-scale
national simulation training.
Animal Health in Denmark 1. Animal health surveillance & contingency planning 172. Livestock
disease status
In general, the Danish livestock have a favour- An overview of the animal
able health status, and only few diseases cause
problems in livestock.
health status in Denmark for
OIE-listed diseases is given at
Denmark is recognised as a country with a negli- the end of each section for the
gible risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy
(BSE) by the OIE. Comprehensive BSE testing has
relevant animal category.
been conducted for more than a decade, and the
last case of BSE in Denmark occurred in 2009 in Information on the Danish strategies for the
a 14-year old cow. No cattle born after the most prevention and control of animal diseases is given
recent tightening of the feed ban in January 2001 in Chapter 1 of this report and on the website of
have acquired BSE. the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration at
https://dvfa.dk (in Danish).
The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8
epidemic that started in Denmark towards the end
of 2016 continued during the winter and spring of
2017. In line with several other European countries,
dead wild birds were diagnosed as infected with
HPAI H5N8. However, only one flock of captive
birds was infected with HPAI H5N8.
18 Animal Health in Denmark 2. Livestock disease statusAnimal Health in Denmark 2. Livestock disease status 19
20 Animal Health in Denmark 2.1 Multiple species diseases
2.1 Multiple
species diseases
For decades, Denmark has experienced no outbreaks of Aujeszky’s disease,
brucellosis in bovine herds, foot and mouth disease, sylvatic rabies or
trichinellosis. Brucellosis has not been detected in Danish pig herds since 1999.
Furthermore, Denmark is free from disease caused by Brucella melitensis,
which has never been recorded in Denmark.
Aujeszky’s disease Under the Danish Aujeszky’s disease surveillance The number of blood
Denmark is recognised as officially free from programme, blood samples from 2% of all sows samples for Aujeszky’s
disease examined during
Aujeszky’s disease by the European Commission with a live weight of more than 140 kg are tested the period 2015-2017 is
(Commission Decision 2008/185/EC). The disease before slaughter or trade. The current surveillance given in Table 1.
has not occurred in Denmark since 1991. programme was initiated in 2012. In addition, all
boars at semen collection centres are regularly
tested in accordance with the provisions of Council
Table 1 Directive 90/429/EEC. Moreover, breeding pigs
Blood samples examined under the Danish intended for export to certain countries outside
Aujeszky’s disease surveillance programme, the EU are tested for Aujeszky’s disease. Due to
2015-2017
fluctuations in trade, the number of samples tested
Year Samples varied during the period under review.
2015 36,819
2016 48,051 Two suspected cases of Aujeszky’s disease
2017 44,247 were notified to the Danish Veterinary and Food
Administration (DVFA) in 2017. Both cases were
Source: National Veterinary Institute, Technical
due to seropositive animals. Official restrictions
University of Denmark, and other official laboratories
in the EU. were imposed on the herds under suspicion while
epidemiological investigation and further labora-
Animal Health in Denmark 2.1 Multiple species diseases 21tory testing were conducted. All samples tested The DVFA was notified of three suspected cases For further details on
negative. of bluetongue in cattle in 2017. One case was vector surveillance,
see Box 5.
reported due to a seropositive animal. Two cases
The number of blood samples examined during were reported due to clinical symptoms; however,
the period 2015-2017 is given in Table 1. one case was rejected by the relevant Veterinary
Inspection Unit (VIU) based on the evaluation of
Bluetongue the clinical symptoms. Official restrictions were
As from 1 January 2011, Denmark has been imposed on the herds under suspicion while
recognised as free from bluetongue according to laboratory testing was conducted. The virological
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1266/2007. tests of samples from all herds under suspicion
proved negative.
In 2007 and 2008, not only Denmark, but also
most North and Central European countries, A surveillance programme for bluetongue has
experienced outbreaks of bluetongue caused by been implemented in Denmark according to Com-
virus serotype 8 (BTV-8) in herds of sheep and mission Regulation (EC) No 1266/2007. Serological
cattle. The last outbreak of bluetongue (BTV-8) in tests were performed on blood samples collected
Denmark occurred in November 2008. from 60 cattle herds in 2017. In total, 600 blood
samples were tested. All tested negative for
In 2008, a vaccination campaign against BTV-8 bluetongue.
was initiated both in Denmark and in several other
EU Member States to control outbreaks of the Vector surveillance activities have been carried out
disease. However, vaccination against bluetongue in Denmark since the first outbreak of bluetongue.
has been banned altogether in Denmark since 1 For further details on vector surveillance, see Box 5.
January 2011.
As from 1 January 2011, Denmark has been recognised as
free from bluetongue according to Commission Regulation
(EC) No 1266/2007.
22 Animal Health in Denmark 2.1 Multiple species diseasesBox 5
Surveillance for Culicoides, mosquitoes
and tick-borne pathogens in Denmark in 2017
Since 2012, the Danish Veterinary and The summer of 2017 was relatively cold, National average
Food Administration (DVFA) and the which resulted in an average mosquito
abundance
National Veterinary Institute, Technical year. The year was also a normal Culi-
University of Denmark, have carried coides year without any pronounced estimates are
out systematic surveillance of mosquito autumn generation, resulting in low published weekly at
and biting midge abundance during the transmission potential in the late summer
warmer half of the year. Vectors have and autumn. The low number and short
www.myggetal.dk
been collected on a weekly basis using season of Tabanidae biting flies was a like-
octenol and CO2 -baited suction traps in ly result of the low summer temperatures,
private gardens and light traps at cattle but several years of surveillance data are
farms. National average abundance needed to determine the seasonal pattern
estimates have been published weekly at and the annual variation in abundance of
www.myggetal.dk (in Danish). Additional Tabanidae on Danish farms. Ticks had a
traps have been operated permanently at long season in Denmark in 2017, lasting to
Copenhagen Airport to monitor potential the middle of November after peaking in
introductions of exotic mosquito species. July and August.
In 2017, the seasonal vector surveillance
was expanded to include weekly surveil- In early 2017, a golden jackal was acciden-
lance of four groups of Tabanidae biting tally shot in Western Denmark. The jackal
flies at three different sites (a horse farm, carried 21 Dermacentor reticulatus male
a pig holding and a cattle holding). From ticks, 18 of which were infected with the
June 2017, the surveillance also included zoonotic pathogen Rickettsia raoultii. This
all stages of Ixodes ricinus ticks (larvae, is the first time that Dermacentor ticks
nymphs and adults). The surveillance have been found in Danish wildlife and
of ticks continued throughout the year the first time ever that R. raoultii has been
although less frequently during the cold recorded in Denmark. The jackal was
period. likely to have migrated with the ticks from
jackal breeding areas in the border region
between Germany, Poland and the Czech
Republic.
Animal Health in Denmark 2.1 Multiple species diseases 23Brucellosis infection was never found, but it is suspected
Denmark has been recognised as officially free that B. suis biovar 2 had been transmitted from
from brucellosis in bovine herds since 1979 European brown hares in the area. B. suis biovar 2
(Commission Decision 2003/467/EC). The official has not been detected in hares since 2002, when
Danish eradication programme for brucellosis in it was diagnosed in two wild hares found dead. All
bovine herds began in 1948, and all cattle herds boars at semen collection centres are regularly
were identified as free from brucellosis in 1959. tested in accordance with the provisions of Council
Brucellosis has not occurred in cattle in Denmark Directive 90/429/EEC. Also breeding pigs intended
since 1962. All bulls at semen collection centres are for export to certain countries outside the EU are
regularly tested in accordance with the provisions tested for brucellosis. Due to fluctuations in trade,
of Council Directive 88/407/EEC. Cattle intended the number of samples tested varies during the
for export to certain countries outside the EU are period under review.
also tested. In 2017, 55 aborted foetuses from cattle
underwent laboratory testing for brucellosis. All Brucella melitensis has never been reported in
tested negative. Denmark, and Denmark has been recognised as
being officially free from B. melitensis since 1995
Brucellosis has not been detected in pigs since (Commission Decision 94/877/EC). A serological
1999, when Brucella suis biovar 2 was diagnosed surveillance programme for B. melitensis is carried
in a herd of free-range pigs. The source of the out by testing blood samples collected through the
Table 2
Blood samples examined under the Danish brucellosis surveillance programme, 2015-2017
Year Cattle: Pigs: Sheep and goats:
Blood samples Blood samples Blood samples
2015 1,650 26,557 2,448
2016 2,352 40,929 2,329
2017 1,007 33,429 1,986
Source: National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, and other official laboratories in the EU.
24 Animal Health in Denmark 2.1 Multiple species diseasesvoluntary lentivirus control programme man-
aged by SEGES, the Danish Agriculture and Food
Council.
In 2017, 14 suspected cases of brucellosis were
notified to the DVFA, three in cattle, nine in pigs
and two in sheep. Three suspected cases in cattle
and one in a pig were notified to the DVFA due to
clinical signs. Eight cases in pigs and two in sheep
were notified because seropositive animals had
been identified in surveillance analyses or following
contact with seropositive animals. Official restric-
tions were imposed on all herds under suspicion
while confirmatory laboratory testing was con
ducted. Samples of all suspected cases tested
negative at the National Reference Laboratory.
The number of blood samples examined for Bat rabies, the European bat lyssavirus, was The number of blood
brucellosis during the period 2015-2017 is given diagnosed for the first time in Denmark in 1985. samples examined for
brucellosis during the
in Table 2. The occurrence of bat rabies has been monitored period 2015-2017 is given
since then. The last case of bat rabies in Danish in Table 2.
Foot and mouth disease domestic animals was diagnosed in sheep in 2002
Denmark is recognised by the OIE as a country and in Danish bats in 2009.
free from foot and mouth disease (FMD).
Vaccination is prohibited, and FMD has not The monitoring of rabies is based on the testing
occurred in Denmark since 1983. of animals suspected of being infected with rabies
and of bats which have been in contact with other
Rabies animals or humans. In 2017, 12 bats were tested,
The rabies virus (classical rabies virus) has not and all tested negative. Eight other animals (four
been reported in domestic animals in Denmark cats, one dog, one sheep, one cow and one fox)
since 1982. In wild animals, the last occurrence was were submitted for examination. However, all
in 1981. animals tested negative.
Animal Health in Denmark 2.1 Multiple species diseases 25Infections with Trichinella spp. have not been reported
in domestic animals in Denmark since 1930.
In addition, active surveillance for rabies among Slaughtered fattening pigs reared under controlled The number of animals
bats was conducted in 2017. Saliva samples were housing conditions in integrated production from each category of
slaughtered animals
collected from 101 bats living at three different loca- systems do not have to be tested for Trichinella examined under the Danish
tions in Denmark. All saliva samples tested negative spp. However, the Danish pig-rearing industry has trichinellosis surveillance
for European bat lyssavirus (EBLV-1 and EBLV-2). maintained a practice of testing all slaughtered programme during the
period 2015-2017 appears
fattening pigs, boars and sows as not all trad-
from Table 3.
Trichinellosis ing partners accept the above testing regime.
Infections with Trichinella spp. have not been Therefore, supplementary testing is performed. All
reported in domestic animals in Denmark since animals of susceptible species that are slaughtered
1930. at Danish slaughterhouses are examined in accord-
ance with the methods prescribed in Commission
For more than 80 years, targeted tests have Implementing Regulation (EC) No 2015/1375.
been performed in Denmark without finding any
Trichinella spp. in pork or horse meat, and Den- The number of animals from each category of
mark was classified as a region with a negligible slaughtered animals examined under the Danish
risk of trichinellosis in herds of domestic pigs in trichinellosis surveillance programme during the
2007 (Commission Regulation (EC) No 2075/2005). period 2015-2017 appears from Table 3.
Although the designations of status and categories
were changed in 2014 due to an amendment to Information pertaining to the OIE-listed multiple
the EU legislation (Commission Regulation (EC) species diseases is given in Table 4.
No 216/2014), Denmark was allowed to maintain
its surveillance programme for infections with
Trichinella spp.
The Danish surveillance programme for demon-
strating the absence of Trichinella spp. infections
distinguishes between pigs kept indoors and pigs
having access to outdoor facilities; the latter being
considered a high-risk subpopulation. Older pigs,
such as breeding animals, are also considered a
high-risk subpopulation.
26 Animal Health in Denmark 2.1 Multiple species diseasesTable 3 Information pertaining to the
Animals examined under the Danish trichinellosis surveillance programme, 2014-2016 OIE-listed multiple species
diseases is given in Table 4.
Year Pigs (incl. boars and sows) Farmed wild boars Horses
2015 18,694,043 414 1,520
2016 18,774,085 594 1,542
2017 17,340,351 445 1,542
Source: Danish Veterinary and Food Administration Laboratory Division and other laboratories accredited to test for
Trichinella spp.
Animal Health in Denmark 2.1 Multiple species diseases 27Box 6
Active surveillance for West Nile virus in Denmark
During the past few years, several through Denmark in 2017 had been In conclusion, data from the 2017 surveil-
outbreaks of infection with West Nile exposed to WNV at some point in their lance programme indicate that there is
virus (WNV) have occurred in southern lives, probably during the annual winter not yet an active ongoing WNV infection
and central Europe, which indicates that stay in Africa. in the Danish bird and mosquito popula-
this infection is becoming established tions. However, there is no doubt that
in Europe. As WNV may spread further Further, mosquitoes collected through migratory birds provide a link between
north with migratory birds from endemic the insect vector surveillance programme WNV-endemic areas and Denmark.
areas, surveillance activities were set up mentioned in Box 5 (30 pools, or a total
to determine whether the infection had of 275 mosquitoes) were examined for Selected material collected under this
reached Danish territories. WNV. All samples tested negative. This programme was further tested for the
means that no viral RNA was found in the Usutu virus (USUV) and corresponding
In 2017, the Danish Veterinary and Food material collected. antibodies: Mosquitoes were tested for
Administration (DVFA), the National USUV. Selected serum samples from
Veterinary Institute (Technical University migratory birds were tested for USUV-
of Denmark) and the Natural History specific antibodies. All tests were negative.
Museum of Denmark (University of
Copenhagen) continued the ongoing
surveillance for WNV in Denmark.
Various material (avian blood and mosqui-
toes) was collected for surveillance:
Serum from outdoor poultry (410
individuals) and migratory birds (250
individuals) was included in the serologic
Photographer: Thomas Varto Nielsen
al surveillance programme and tested
for WNV-specific antibodies. Altogether
660 samples were examined, and seven
samples of serum from migratory birds
(medium/long distance migratory species)
were found positive for WNV antibodies.
This indicates that at least seven of the
migratory birds that stayed in or passed
28 Animal Health in Denmark 2.1 Multiple species diseasesTable 4
Last occurrence of OIE-listed multiple species diseases in Denmark
Anthrax 1988
Bluetongue 2008
Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever 1 Never reported
Epizootic haemorrhagic disease Never reported
Equine encephalomyelitis (Eastern) Never reported
Heartwater 1 Never reported
Infection with Aujeszky’s disease virus 1991
Infection with Brucella abortus, Cattle: 1962
Brucella melitensis and Brucella suis Pigs: 1999
Sheep and goats: Never reported
Infection with Echinococcus granulosus Not reported2
Infection with Echinococcus multilocularis 2017 3
Infection with foot and mouth disease virus 1983
Infection with rabies virus 19824
Infection with Rift Valley fever virus Never reported
Infection with rinderpest virus 1782
Infection with Trichinella spp. 1930
Japanese encephalitis Never reported
New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) 1
Never reported
Old World screwworm (Chrysomya bezziana) 1 Never reported
Paratuberculosis 1 Disease present 5
Q fever 2017
Surra (Trypanosoma evansi) 1
Never reported
Tularemia 2016 6
West Nile fever Never reported
1
The disease is not notifiable in Denmark.
2
Year of last outbreak not known.
3
Detected in wildlife (fox).
4
Infection with classical rabies virus in domestic animals.
5
The disease is not officially controlled in Denmark; however, the cattle industry carries out a voluntary control programme.
6
Detected in wildlife (rabbit).
Animal Health in Denmark 2.1 Multiple species diseases 2930 Animal Health in Denmark 2.2 Cattle diseases
2.2 Cattle diseases
In Denmark, 18% of the cattle farms are dairy farms, and 82% produce beef.
The trend towards fewer but larger dairy herds has been evident for many years.
Dairy herds account for most of the production with 575,000 milking cows
producing 5,370,000 tonnes of milk each year. The rest of the herds comprise
90,000 cows for beef production.3
Denmark is recognised by the OIE as a country having a ‘negligible BSE risk’. Bovine
spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) has not been detected in Denmark since 2009.
Denmark is recognised as officially free from bovine tuberculosis, enzootic bovine
leukosis and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR).
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy • The feed ban which has been in place in
(BSE) Denmark since 1990 (ruminant-to-ruminant
Denmark became recognised as a country with feed ban).
a ‘negligible BSE risk’ in 2011. Even before 2011, • The most recent tightening of the feed ban in
Denmark was generally considered a country with January 2001 when processed animal proteins
a low risk of BSE due to the very few cases of the were banned in feed for production animals.
disease. The status as a country with a negligible • No BSE cases in cattle born after the most
risk was granted on the basis of a comprehensive recent tightening of the feed ban in January
application documenting Danish compliance with 2001.
the OIE requirements, which include: • The comprehensive Danish BSE testing
programme with a little over 2.7 million tests
• Risk assessment identifying historical and performed since the beginning of 2001.
existing risks and showing that appropriate • The long period of 19 years that has passed
measures have been taken to manage each since the birth of the youngest Danish case of
identified risk. BSE.
3
Source: SEGES.
Animal Health in Denmark 2.2 Cattle diseases 31In 1990, a passive surveillance programme for BSE was introduced
in Denmark, and BSE was simultaneously made a notifiable disease.
No cases of BSE have been found in Denmark Additionally, if a rapid test of a slaughtered animal
since 2009 when a BSE case was found in a is positive, all parts of the animal are destroyed
14-year old cow. In the period 2000-2009, a total as specified risk material (SRM) irrespective of the
of 18 cases of BSE were detected. The youngest result of the confirmatory test. At the slaughter
Danish case of BSE was a cow born in 1999. No line, the carcasses next to the test-positive animal
BSE-positive animals have been born after the are also destroyed as SRM (one carcass upstream
implementation of the total feed ban in 2001. This – two carcasses downstream) if the final result is
fact highlights the importance and effectiveness of positive.
the total feed ban.
The current Danish BSE surveillance programme
Surveillance for BSE implements the most recent European TSE legisla-
In 1990, a passive surveillance programme for BSE tion laid down in Commission Regulation (EC) No
was introduced in Denmark, and BSE was simultan 999/2001 as amended and Commission Decision
eously made a notifiable disease. 2009/719/EC as amended. It follows from the
amendment to Decision 2009/719/EC that certain
As BSE is a notifiable disease, anyone discovering Member States, including Denmark, are authorised
symptoms of BSE in an animal must notify a veter to make revisions to their BSE surveillance pro-
inary practitioner and, hence, the Danish Veterinary grammes.
and Food Administration (DVFA). BSE is suspected
in animals showing clinical signs compatible with Active surveillance was implemented in October
BSE or in case of a positive or inconclusive result 2000, and from 2001 to 2009 the surveillance
of a rapid test performed under the surveillance programme generally comprised the testing of:
programme. The National Veterinary Institute, Tech
nical University of Denmark, subsequently performs • All clinical suspects (no age limit).
confirmatory testing of material from the relevant • All fallen stock, emergency-slaughtered animals
animal. Meanwhile, the herd of origin is placed under and animals older than 24 months in which
movement restrictions; at least until the birth cohort observations had been made of accidents or
of the suspected animal has been identified. Animals functional or neurological problems at the ante-
of the birth cohort are then placed under move- mortem inspection at slaughter (AM animals).
ment restrictions, both animals in the herd of origin • All healthy slaughter animals older than 30
and animals moved to other herds. months at slaughter.
32 Animal Health in Denmark 2.2 Cattle diseasesTable 5
Amendments to the Danish BSE surveillance programme as from 2001
Risk animals tested:
emergency-slaughtered
BSE testing in Denmark Clinically suspected animals, fallen stock and Healthy slaughter
(periods) cases tested AM animals animals tested
1 July 2001 - 31 Dec. 2008 All > 24 months All > 30 months
1 Jan. 2009 - 30 June 2011 All > 48 months
1 July 2011 - 31 Dec. 2012 All (no age limit) All > 48 months All > 72 months
1 Jan. 2013 - 3 July 2013 Random samples > 72 months
4 July 2013 - No testing
The surveillance programme has been revised a Moreover, a more stringent testing regime has An overview of the amend-
few times since 2009 due to amendments to EU been implemented for animals from other EU ments to the Danish BSE
surveillance programme is
legislation. The latest revision was made in July Member States whose monitoring programmes provided in Table 5.
2013 when the testing of healthy slaughter animals have not been revised or from countries outside
was discontinued. As from 4 July 2013, the surveil- the EU which have a controlled or undetermined The results of the Danish
BSE surveillance programme
lance testing regime for animals born in Denmark risk of BSE.
in the period 2015-2017 are
has comprised: shown in Table 6.
In 2017, one suspected case of BSE was notified
• All clinical suspects (no age limit). to the DVFA. Results of the laboratory tests of
• All fallen stock older than 48 months, samples from the suspected case were negative.
emergency-slaughtered animals older than
48 months and animals older than 48 months An overview of the amendments to the Danish BSE
in which observations had been made of surveillance programme is provided in Table 5.
accidents or functional or neurological
problems at the ante-mortem inspection The results of the Danish BSE surveillance
at slaughter (AM animals). programme in the period 2015-2017 are shown in
Table 6.
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