Newcastle disease

Newcastle disease (ND) is a contagious and  viral disease affecting many species of birds. ND is caused by a virus of the family Paramyxoviridae. Members of this family have a single stranded, linear, RNA. Severity of disease is extremely variable from subclinical until high mortality depending on the strain of virus, species and age of bird, concurrent disease, and pre-existing immunity. Virulent strain of NDV cause severe disease of the digestive, respiratory and/or nervous systems in particular in susceptible domestic poultry.

In cage and aviary birds, and wild birds the outcome of the disease depends much more on bird specie. A death rate of almost 100 percent can occur in unvaccinated poultry flocks. The disease is transmitted through infected birds’ droppings and secretions from the nose, mouth, and eyes or indirect by exposure to materials contaminated with these secretions. The incubation period of the disease in poultry flocks ranges from 2 to 15 days.

More information:

Technical Disease Cards OIE

Information on Newcastle Disease (DEFRA)

EPIZONE and Newcastle disease Diagnostics ·          Numerous activities for harmonization and standardization of real time RT-PCR assays for NDV     Surveillance and Epidemiology ·          Sequencing of PMV-1 isolates

 

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