Pag. 



The division inspectors are continuing to inspect poultry 

 at the poultry shov/s and fairs throughout the State for clinical 

 symptoms of disease. This is to prevent any outbreaks of conta- 

 gious diseases during the fairs season. 



This year there v;as an outhreai: of Lar^Tigotracheitis st 

 one of the fairs. This occurred during the middle of the week- 

 long shov/. It v;as immediately recognized and all the birds v/ere 

 vaccinated at once and the flocks were quarantined and the home 

 premises were also quarantined. 



After consultation with the laboratory officials and the 

 director of Animal Health, it was determined that we should close 

 all the poultry shows for the remainder of the year 1970. This 

 involved four poultry shows that v/ere not allowed to operate. 



Because of this outbreak the division of poultry and animal 

 health held two public hearings to discuss the feasability of 

 requiring the vaccination of all show birds against Laryngo- 

 tracheitis and New Castle disease. In reviewing the testimony 

 of these hearings it was the recommendation of the department 

 that all cird3 "o be sho^-^ should be vaccinated thirty (30) days 

 prior to t:.e fair and shov; season each year. Altho this \<as not 

 compulsory it would be good insurance against the birds being 

 contaminated. 



The Mycoplasma Gallisepticum vaccination program during 

 its third year has been most satisfactory. Under the supervision 

 and guidance of Dr. George Faddoul at the Waltham Field Station 

 the administering of the vaccine in the drinking v/ater has been 

 most successful. Dr. Faddoul has developed a method of freezing 

 the vaccine so it can be used more efficiently and v;ith much less 

 labor than the first method of one drop in the nostril of each 

 bird. The response to the program has been very encouraging. All 

 producers using the vaccine have paid their share of the cost with- 

 out any bills being sent to ar^'one. 



