Prevention of Newcastle disease in poultry
Newcastle disease is a viral avian infection caused by the virulent Newcastle disease virus.
Newcastle disease is also known as NDV, a polymorphic virus, which means it can build complicated code that allows it to “shapeshift,” or change its characteristics and create new versions of itself, to avoid detection and bypass immune defenses while maintaining the same critical operations after each infection.
Virulent NDV strains (NDV) are common in most parts of Asia, Africa, and certain North and South American countries. Other countries, such as the United States and Canada, are free of such strains in poultry and safeguard their position by enforcing import bans and prohibitions by eradicating infected birds.
What causes Newcastle in poultry?
The disease’s mode of transmission is through ingested contaminated feed and water. Infected birds shed viruses in their exhaled air, respiratory secretions, and excrement during incubation and clinical stages.
The viruses can also be found in eggs and throughout the carcass during acute NDV infections. The incubation period of NDV is generally considered 4-6 days.
What are the symptoms of Newcastle disease in poultry?
Newcastle disease is a widespread infection that most commonly appears as a respiratory illness, but can also present as neurological problems or diarrhea.
Clinical signs of Newcastle disease are;
- Coughing
- Diarrhea in birds (feces are mostly green)
- Paralysis of wings and legs
- Complete paralysis,
- Oedema in the head and eggs
- Cessation in laying of eggs
- Circling motion.
Can chickens survive Newcastle disease?
The severity is determined by the virulence of the invading virus and the host’s susceptibility. In susceptible birds, such as chickens, mortality varies depending on the virus strain, the host’s immunological status, age, exacerbating organisms, and environmental conditions. Also, young birds are highly susceptible to the disease.
Oil-adjuvanted inactivated vaccines are commonly used inactivated vaccines. The current vaccines do not provide complete immunity to Newcastle disease but elicit an antibody response.
Vaccination begins as early as day 1–4 of life for healthy chicks. Delaying immunization until the second or third week, on the other hand, eliminates maternal antibody interference with an active immune response.
Newcastle disease symptoms in humans
When there is a high level of exposure and close contact with Newcastle disease, this viral disease may be transmitted to humans. Newcastle disease, when contracted by humans, can cause transitory conjunctivitis.
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