Newcastle disease

1. DESCRIPTION:

Newcastle disease is an infection of domestic poultry and other bird species with virulent Newcastle disease virus (NDV). It is a worldwide problem that presents primarily as an acute respiratory disease, but depression, neural disturbances or diarrhea may be the predominant clinical form.

2. ETIOLOGY:

Newcastle disease virus (NDV), synonymous with avian paramyxovirus serotype 1 (PMV-1), is an RNA virus and the most important of the 11 known PMV serotypes as a pathogen for poultry. Transmission occurs by exposure to faecal and other excretions from infected birds, and through contact with contaminated food, water, equipment, and clothing.

3. CLINICAL SIGNS: NDV strains can be categorised as 3 stages

• Velogenic (highly virulent): causes severe nervous and respiratory signs, spread rapidly, and cause up to 90% mortality, infected animal can be dead within 25 – 48 hours with noticable symptoms such as: anorexia, lethargy, ruffled feathers, droopy head, high fever, breathlessness…
• Mesogenic (intermediate virulence): early symptoms can be lethargy, droopy head and drooped wings… the infected animals seem to be slow and tired and they usually gather in large group and stand alone..
  • Injected animals got a high fever ranging from 43,5 – 44^oC, sneeze continously, breathlessness.
  • There are pooled plague fluid around their head, eyes. There are constant leaked of cerebrospinal fluid from the nostril.
  • Severe bacterial diarrea with white, blue, some times even mix with blood dropping…
  • Egg production and egg quality fell drastically. Blood spots can be found on the surface of egg yolks. Eggs have abnormal in color, shape, or surface and have watery albumen.
• Lentogenic (nonvirulent): usually there are mild symptoms with negligible mortality such as leg paralysis, wry head, epileptic seizures when stimulated by big noises.

4. OUTBREAK HANLDING

- There is no treatment, antibody has minmum effect.

- You can give AVINEW NEO vaccine from Merial, France, administer orally with a double concentration, eye or nose instillation with a half as much centration.

5. OUTBREAK PREVENTION

• Apply proper veterinary hygiene measures.
• Isolate the sick from the healthy.
• Disinfect the coop once a week.
• Give adjuvant drugs that is manufactured by SANFOVET to enhance natural resistance such as: 

6. ANTI-INFECTION TREATMENT

• If NDV strains to Velogenic stage, it would be impossible to save the flocks. But NDV is spotted at Lentogenic stage, should vaccine treatment is applied immediately, 60 – 70 % of the flock can be saved. It is advisable that antibiotic should be given to minimize the risk of relapse.
• Select from one of the following antibiotics:

Select one from the mentioned products, apply treatment for 5 – 7 days consecutively.

Note: On the first 2 days of treatment period, increase the concentration to half as much of the recommended dosage. On the remaining period, administer according to the suggested dosage.