Management Information
As is generally the case in the control of an infectious disease management of NDV occurs on a number of levels. For example, in Canada control of NDV is based on three principles: prevention (restriction of the import of live birds from countries where NDV occurs), local quarantine (where an NDV outbreak is known to occur in the country) and monitoring and surveillance of the disease (in captive, migratory and wild birds) (CFIA 2003). In addition, public and industrial poultry owners are required to report the disease and consult a veterinarian if birds show any of the clinical symptoms (CFIA 2003).
Prevention measures: The easiest way to prevent the virus is to import birds from disease-free flocks (CIDRAP 2003). Attempts to contain NDV often involve halting regional and international trade in birds and bird products (WPT 2004). Vaccination, although not full-proof, may prevent the spread of Newcastle disease (CIDRAP 2003). Birds are usually vaccinated at 2 to 4 weeks of age when they become susceptible to the virus (CIDRAP 2003). Vaccinations must be continued throughout the life of the bird and may take either a live or inactivated vaccine form (CIDRAP 2003). Live vaccines can be administered via drinking water, whereas inactivated vaccines must be administered individually via injection (CIDRAP 2003).
Strict local quarantine should be enforced once the virus is identified and may include quarantine measures which centre on improving human hygienic techniques. Strict quarantine and destruction of all birds infected with NDV is necessary to eradicate the virus from an area (CIDRAP 2003). For example, following a major outbreak of the disease in California, USA, from 1971 to 1973 $50 million was spent to destroy nearly 12 million infected birds (CFIA 2003). More recently, from 1999 to 2000, after Newcastle disease swept through northern and central Italy over 13 million birds were culled (CFIA 2003). Because the virus can survive well in some environments, special precautions need to be taken during the destruction of birds. After cleaning and disinfection is complete, no birds should be reintroduced into depopulated facilities for at least 30 days (CIDRAP 2003). Contaminated manure must be safely removed by burying it at least 5 feet deep and composting it (CIDRAP 2003). Any insects or mice that could act as potential vectors need to be destroyed (CIDRAP 2003). Cresylics or phenolic disinfectants should be used after thorough cleaning of all surfaces and equipment (CIDRAP 2003).
Monitoring: Sample collection and diagnostic tests are important for identification of the disease and for the prevention of its spread (please see CIDRAP 2003 for virus isolation and diagnostic techniques). Because vaccinated birds can be infected with NDV without showing severe clinical signs, infected carriers can be difficult to identify. Two systems are used to detect carrier birds. In the first system, all birds dying during a 24-hour period are collected twice a week. Cloacal swabs are then collected and routine diagnostic procedures conducted. In the second virus detection system, sentinel birds are placed in vaccinated flocks. The sentinel birds have not been vaccinated for Newcastle Disease. If virus is present in the flock, sentinel animals usually die within a week of placement (Beard 1998, in CIDRAP 2003).
Physical control of the virus should take into account the following principles (from CIDRAP 2003). The virus is inactivated by a 3 hour heat treatment at 56°C or a 30 minute heat treatment at 60°C. It is ether-sensitive and inactivated by formalin, phenol and acid pH (OIE: Newcastle disease: Technical disease card database, in CIDRAP 2003). It survives indefinitely in frozen material. It is destroyed rapidly by dehydration and ultraviolet rays (ISDA/APHIS, in CIDRAP 2003). A minimum core temperature of 80°C for 1 minute will destroy the virus in meat products (Queensland DPI in CIDRAP 2003).
Location Specific Management InformationAlbania
The infected birds were destroyed. Arizona
The disease was quickly contained, with minimal loss of birds. Quarantines were lifted in August 2003. Results of a study (Pedersen et al. 2004) which compared isolates from the 2002-2003 virulent NDV outbreak in southern California, Nevada, Arizona, and Texas in the United States with recent v-NDV isolates from Mexico and Central America and reference avian paramyxovirus type 1 strains demonstrated that the California 2002-2003, Arizona, Nevada, and Texas viruses were most closely related to isolates from Mexico and Central America. An isolate from Texas obtained during 2003 appeared to represent a separate introduction of v-NDV into the United States, as this virus was even more closely related to the Mexico 2000 isolates than the California, Arizona, and Nevada viruses. The authors observe that this close relationship of the v-NDV isolates and viruses from countries geographically close to the United States @warrants continued surveillance of commercial and noncommercial poultry for early detection of highly virulent NDV". Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan is a minimal producer of poultry and poultry products. Azerbaijan does not export live poultry. Only very small amounts of poultry meat (79 metric tons in 1999) have been exported in recent years. Neither the US, Canada, nor Mexico imported any relevant poultry or poultry products from Azerbaijan during 2000 or 2001 (through August). Azerbaijan
Control measures undertaken include control of wildlife reservoirs, quarantine, movement control inside the country, vaccination, and disinfection of infected premises.
In 2004, Azerbaijan’s poultry stocks totaled about 17.4 million chickens and turkeys, amounting to less than 0.1% of world stocks. Azerbaijan
Control measures undertaken include control of wildlife reservoirs, quarantine, movement control inside the country, vaccination, disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s).
Botswana
The outbreak was controlled by restricting movement of birds and vaccination. The source of the outbreak has not been determined. The affected premises were quarantined. Other control measures include destruction of birds and ring vaccination of birds within the affected district. Brazil
The source of the infection has not been determined. The outbreak was controlled by quarantine of affected premises, destruction of all poultry on affected premises, restriction of movements, and ring vaccination to be followed by a more widespread vaccination campaign. Bulgaria
Control measures include destruction of all birds on the infected premises, ring vaccination in the protection and surveillance zones, and daily clinical inspections throughout the whole administrative district. Control measures also included mechanical cleaning and disinfection of the sites. California
As of Oct 3, 2002, two of the premises had already been depopulated and a third was awaiting depopulation. The California Department of Food and Agriculture has suspended all poultry exhibitions at local fairgrounds. California
Some 600,000 birds, primarily chickens, were euthanized in the 2002 outbreak and another million were to be destroyed (Gilardi, 2003). Results of a study (Pedersen et al. 2004) which compared isolates from the 2002-2003 virulent NDV outbreak in southern California, Nevada, Arizona, and Texas in the United States with recent v-NDV isolates from Mexico and Central America and reference avian paramyxovirus type 1 strains demonstrated that the California 2002-2003, Arizona, Nevada, and Texas viruses were most closely related to isolates from Mexico and Central America. An isolate from Texas obtained during 2003 appeared to represent a separate introduction of v-NDV into the United States, as this virus was even more closely related to the Mexico 2000 isolates than the California, Arizona, and Nevada viruses. The authors observe that this close relationship of the v-NDV isolates and viruses from countries geographically close to the United States @warrants continued surveillance of commercial and noncommercial poultry for early detection of highly virulent NDV". Canada
In Canada NDV is a reportable disease under the Health of Animals Act. That means anyone who suspects the presence of NDV has the responsibility to immediately notify a veterinary inspector of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), so that action can be taken to assess the situation and take appropriate measures.
CFIA port-of-entry inspections prohibit the import and entry (commercial or personal) of certain live birds, poultry, poultry products and by-products from countries where NDV is known to occur. If outbreaks occur in areas that are normally free of NDV, temporary commodity import and entry restrictions from these areas (as now from California) are put into effect, until it is determined the outbreak has been eradicated. The CFIA also works closely with wildlife officials to monitor for NDV occurrences in migratory and wildlife birds. When findings are confirmed, advisories are issued to provinces and industry. Comoros
A Newcastle disease eradication program has been organized. Cyprus
Control measures include control of wildlife reservoirs, movement control inside the country and vaccination. All backyard birds in a radius of 3 km and the flocks of the 2 neighboring commercial farms (one poultry farm and one ostrich farm) have been vaccinated and booster vaccinated, respectively. Denmark
To control the outbreak the chickens were destroyed. Also (as a preventive measure) safety zones of 10 kilometers were established around the premises affected. Neither poultry nor poultry equipment may be removed from the safety zones without permission. It is anticipated that the safety zones will be discontinued within 30 days, after disinfection and cleaning of affected premises has been approved.
Production of poultry and poultry products in Denmark accounts for less than 0.1% of total world production. Denmark ’s exports of live poultry and poultry products in 1999 and 2000 did not account for a significant share of the world export market. The predominant export markets for these products are the Middle East , Germany and Britain. Denmark
Control measures in accordance with European Union legislation are currently in place. Control measures including stamping out of poultry on the holding, disinfection of the affected premises, and establishment of protection and surveillance zones of three and ten kilometers, respectively, have begun. The 10-kilometer surveillance zone extends south to Denmark’s border with Germany. Although a vaccination campaign against ND has been in place in Denmark since November 2004, poultry at the affected premises had not yet been vaccinated.
Denmark’s national poultry flock in 2004 consisted of approximately 16.6 million chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese and accounted for less than 0.1% of world stocks. In addition to exporting 142,000 metric tons of poultry meat and eggs during 2003, Denmark exported about 4 million live chickens and turkeys, primarily to the Netherlands and Russia. Denmark
Control measures undertaken include stamping out (in progress); in accordance with the European Union legislation, a 3-km-radius protection zone and a 10-km-radius surveillance zone have been established around the infected farm; within the zones, poultry cannot be moved without permission from the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration. To be undertaken: disinfection of infected premises. Ethiopia
Control in this country is mainly focussed on preventing a potential outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Ethiopia's state news media announced on 1 Dec 2005 that the country was extending a ban imposed in October 2005 on the import of all poultry products. A bird flu national task force with technical committees was also established. The UN has also set up its own crisis management team for avian flu in Ethiopia and is in the process of completing a contingency plan to deal with a potential outbreak. Finland
Control measures include destruction of all birds on the infected premises and creation of protection and surveillance zones from which trade in live poultry and poultry products are prohibited. France
Contamination by wild birds was cited as the source, resulting in five cases and destruction of 1,730 susceptible birds. France listed its control measures as stamping out, destruction of carcasses, tracing back and tracing forward, and vaccination. France
Control measures undertaken: stamping out (carried out as a preventive measure on 7 Nov 2005 in the afternoon); quarantine; disinfection of infected premises/establishment. There has not been any movement of birds from this farm to other countries during the 21-day risk period before the onset of the clinical signs (the first clinical signs were observed on 31 Oct 2005). The birds from that farm were for slaughter purposes only. The preliminary results of the investigations carried out in the neighbouring farms indicate the absence of clinical signs of Newcastle disease. France
Control measures undertaken: stamping out (carried out on 17 Oct 2005); quarantine; zoning; disinfection of infected premises. Since the clinical signs appeared before the end of the rearing period, no birds of the flock have left the farm. France
Control measures undertaken include quarantine. Control measures to be undertaken include preventive stamping out. Other details/comments: The affected farm is located in 2 different sites.; No birds have left the affected farm since 1 Jun 2005, with the exception of one shipment to England on 22 June 2005.; The affected farm is epidemiologically linked to the farm in Surrey, United Kingdom which was declared infected with Newcastle disease on 15 Jul 2005. Georgia
Newcastle disease has not been reported in Georgia since 2001. If indeed confirmed, an official notification to the OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) is anticipated. Greece
Control measures in accordance with European Union directives have been taken. Control measures include stamping out, zoning, disinfection, and vaccinating birds on the surrounding farms. The Greek Veterinary Services implemented stamping-out measures.
Greece is a minor player in terms of world poultry stocks and production. However, Greece exported 3.4 million live chickens in 2003, mostly to Albania, Macedonia, and Romania. Greece
Control measures undertaken included culling, isolation and disinfection of the premises, vaccination and surveillence for further evidence of the disease. Greece
Control measures undertaken: i9nclude stamping out; zoning; disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s); dipping/spraying; Other details/comments: investigations are already taking place in neighbouring farms, withnegative findings so far.
Due to the fact that a significant number of deaths (around 50 birds/day) was observed, a prefectural decision was officially issued on 2 Nov 2005 for the implementation of appropriate measures in the case of suspected ND, in accordance with European Union Council Directive 92/66/EEC. India
There are nearly 1.2 - 1.4 million laying birds in 60-odd poultry sheds around Navapur. The casualty rate is around 8-12 per cent in different sheds. These sheds supply eggs to Nashik, Jalgaon, Bhusawal, Surat (Gujarat), Indore (MP), Mumbai and Hyderabad. These birds are used only to lay eggs. Apparently experts from Pune-based Venkateshwaran hatchery have controlled the outbreak. Ireland
This resulted in a policy of compulsory vaccination (Leslie, in CIDRAP 2003). Israel
Control measures undertaken include stamping out (the flock was destroyed on 10 Oct 2005); movement control inside the country; screening (in progress); vaccination; disinfection of infected premises.
Vaccination in response to the outbreak: All flocks within a radius of 10 km where treated with a live virus vaccine (VH strain) by spray (ICPI 0.15). In Israel, vaccination against Newcastle disease is compulsory. Orders were issued to all owners of poultry and other avian species within a radius of 10 km to perform an immediate booster vaccination. Israel
Control measures undertaken: the flock was destroyed on 22 Jul 2005; all poultry holdings in the 3 villages within a radius of 3 km of the outbreak were checked serologically and/or clinically for Newcastle disease; orders were issued to the owners of all poultry and other avian species within a radius of 10 km to perform an immediate booster vaccination using live vaccine by spray (VH strain ICPI 0.15); disinfection of infected premises; movement control inside the country.
Newcastle vaccination is compulsory in Israel. Italy
The culling of over 13 million birds was needed to eradicate the disease. Italy
After learning of the presence of NDV in an EU country, the World Parrot Trust immediately investigated the report and confirmed with the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie laboratory in Legnaro, Italy that the samples tested positive for NDV. The laboratory confirmed that they faxed the results to the Italian Health Ministry as required by law, and multiple independent sources now confirm that some 4000 birds from the shipment were destroyed in Naples on 20 February.
A full week after the birds were destroyed, the World Parrot Trust discovered that federal veterinarians in at least three importing regions of Italy as well as the OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) centered in Paris, had not yet been notified. Newcastle disease is one of only fifteen diseases categorized as an "A List" reportable animal disease by the OIE: notification within 24 hours of detection is a requirement of Italy, Pakistan and all 165 OIE member countries.
Pakistan is a major exporter of wild birds to the EU, sending tens of thousands of parrots and other birds destined for European pet markets each year, particularly to Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Greece. For CITES listed species alone, between 1997-2001 the EU imported a total of 617,591 parrots and 2,480,186 non-parrots, primarily for the pet trade. Japan
Control measures include quarantine of the affected farm and destruction of chickens on the farm followed by disinfection. In addition, on-site investigations are being conducted on commercial farms within a 3 kilometer radius from the affected farm and on the breeding farm where infected chickens were born. Japan
To control the spread of disease, all susceptible birds in the affected flocks were destroyed. Japan
Control measures included disinfection of the infected premises, destruction and burial of the chickens, and placement of all commercial flocks within a 5-km radius of the infected farms under quarantine. A hobby pigeon flock of 88 birds in Toyota Gun, Hiroshima Prefecture was later found infected and similarly destroyed. In June, additional infected flocks were found in Ihara-city (Okayama Prefecture), Kagawa Prefecture, and Karita gun (Miyagi Prefecture). There were no further reports of infected flocks through June 30. Japan
Control measures to be undertaken included destruction of birds, vaccination and surveillence. Japan
Control measures: destruction of the suspected birds in the affected premises is being carried out; vaccination against Newcastle disease is recommended in all poultry farms
in Miyagi prefecture; disinfection of infected premises/establishments. On-site investigations have been made in commercial farms within a 5-km radius of the infected farms. Kaliningradskaya oblast'
Control measures have been applied in the settlement. These measures include quarantine, culling of all pigeons within the infected focus and burning their carcasses. Luxembourg
Control measures have included stamping out, quarantine and movement control, and control of wildlife reservoirs. Macedonia
Control measures undertaken: it was ordered that the whole poultry flock in the village be destroyed; killing and destruction of all poultry in the village will continue in the next days; quarantine; movement control inside the country; screening; compulsory vaccination against Newcastle disease was prescribed in the whole country; disinfection of infected premises/establishments.
Other details/comments: As part of the increased danger of avian influenza (AI) outbreaks, and in relation to the time period, which poses greater danger of introducing AI virus via migratory birds, as well as for differential diagnosis, all sera were tested with an antibody test kit for AI virus strains H7N2, H1N7, H7N3, H13N6, H5N9, H11N6, H3N8, H9N2, H5N2, H4N8, H10N7, H2N2, H8N4, H14N5, H6N5 and H12N5. One serum gave a positive result to the serological test.
Immediate control measures were applied in the field in accordance with draft European Union Council Directive No. CNS/2005/0062, replacing Council Directive No. 92/40/EEC. Samples will be sent to the OIE Reference Laboratory for AI, VLA Weybridge, United Kingdom for confirmation. In the meantime, the control measures imposed remain in force. Malaysia
Control measures in 2001 have included vaccination of all poultry especially targeting backyard flocks. Mexico
As of 10 April, the outbreak was occurring in two states, Coahuila and Durango, in an agriculturally important region called the Comarca Lagunera. This two-state region holds about 22 million chickens, or 6.5 percent of Mexico's total poultry flock of 336.6 million. Three million birds had been depopulated as of 10 April, and another 1.4 million birds were in the process of being depopulated in the two states. Most of the confirmed and suspected incidents were in operations wholly or partially owned by Tyson Foods of Arkansas. The operations have been serving the growing Mexican market for poultry.
National Center for Import and Export data indicate that in March 1998 Mexico formally requested the USDA to recognize Coahuila and Durango as free of NDV. That application was pending but had not been approved. In March 2000, USDA amended its regulations to remove certain restrictions on the importation of poultry meat and other poultry products from Sinaloa and Sonora, two states in Western Mexico. Also, an application to recognize the southern states of Yucatan, Quintana Roo, and Campeche as free of NDV has been pending.
NDV outbreaks in several Mexican states in the 1990s have impeded the country's growing poultry industry and its ability to export to Japan and the U.S. Mexico
In order to fight the virus, SAGARPA (Agriculture, Farming, Rural Development, Fishing and Food Secretariat) personnel are currently immunizing the animals. Rooster fights are indefinitely suspended (with the cooperation of gamecock farmers).
The outbreak has been detected in gamecocks and in fowl kept in the households. An educational program and a vaccination program are necessary. Fowl within the "red area" will be sacrificed, farms will be inspected, and a peripheral zone will be designated in which inspections will be held and sanitary measures implemented. In all areas containing domesticated birds and gamecocks the movement of such animals will be prohibited. Nevada
The disease was quickly contained, with minimal loss of birds. Quarantines were lifted in August 2003. Nevada
Results of a study (Pedersen et al. 2004) which compared isolates from the 2002-2003 virulent NDV outbreak in southern California, Nevada, Arizona, and Texas in the United States with recent v-NDV isolates from Mexico and Central America and reference avian paramyxovirus type 1 strains demonstrated that the California 2002-2003, Arizona, Nevada, and Texas viruses were most closely related to isolates from Mexico and Central America. An isolate from Texas obtained during 2003 appeared to represent a separate introduction of v-NDV into the United States, as this virus was even more closely related to the Mexico 2000 isolates than the California, Arizona, and Nevada viruses. The authors observe that this close relationship of the v-NDV isolates and viruses from countries geographically close to the United States @warrants continued surveillance of commercial and noncommercial poultry for early detection of highly virulent NDV". New Mexico
Five counties in Texas and New Mexico were quarantined by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) after NDV was confirmed. By the end of April, about 1,900 birds in 31 flocks had been destroyed to contain spread of the disease (see Texas Animal Health Commission, in CIDRAP 2003). The outbreak was considered well contained by early May 2003 (OIE: Disease Information Update, in CIDRAP 2003), and the quarantine was lifted in June for New Mexico and all areas of Texas by August. Norway
To control the outbreak, the entire flock was destroyed and the carcasses buried. The US did not recognize Norway as free of Newcastle disease (NDV) prior to this outbreak.
Production of poultry and poultry products in Norway accounts for less than 0.1% of total world production. Norway’s exports of live poultry and poultry products in 2000 and 2001 did not account for a significant share of the world export market. The US imported no live poultry or products of concern (poultry meat, eggs, feathers) from Norway in 2002 or through August 2003. Two pet birds were imported into the US from Norway during January-August 2003. All live poultry and other bird species imported into the US (except from Canada) are required to have a USDA issued import permit, a health certificate issued by a government veterinarian in the country of origin, and be quarantined for 30 days in a USDA animal import quarantine facility. This includes pet birds as well as commercial birds. During the quarantine period, the birds are tested for various infectious pathogens. The US does not recognize Norway as free from Newcastle disease. Norway
To control the outbreak, the entire flock was destroyed and the carcasses buried. Romania
Control measures undertaken include stamping out of the infected backyard flock; quarantine; movement control inside the country; screening; zoning; disinfection of infected premises. Slovakia
Control measures: in accordance with European Union legislation: within the zones, poultry cannot be moved without permission from SVFA; stamping out; cleaning and disinfection. South Africa
Out of the 460,500 birds susceptible in the farms affected, there were 6904 deaths. The birds in one of the houses of 30,000 birds (26 days old) were gassed and buried on site. The remaining birds (325,000) were revaccinated and slaughtered later, as they were close to slaughter age. Disinfection, vaccination and surveillence for further outbreaks were carried out.
Newcastle disease is a controlled and notifiable disease in South Africa, and vaccination is compulsory for all chickens, ostriches and racing pigeons. South Africa
Arrangements have already been made to assist people in the area with obtaining vaccines and to vaccinate their poultry. It remains important that poultry farmers vaccinate their poultry and ensure that they do not buy unvaccinated poultry or day-old chickens. Sweden
Control measures in Sweden include stamping out and transport restrictions enforced in the area for live poultry, day-old chicks, hatching eggs, fresh poultry meat, table eggs, manure and litter. The US recognizes Sweden as free of NDV, and since the outbreak is limited to a single hobby farm, there are no current plans to change Sweden’s status as NDV free. The USDA is monitoring this outbreak, and if it should expand, other actions may be taken. The US imported no live birds or poultry, or products of concern, from Sweden during January-August 2003. Sweden does not export any poultry meat to the US because Sweden is not approved by the US Food Safety Inspection Service to ship poultry meat to the US. Sweden
Control measures in Sweden include stamping out and transport restrictions enforced in the area for live poultry, day-old chicks, hatching eggs, fresh poultry meat, table eggs, manure and litter. Sweden
Control measures undertaken include stamping out; movement control inside the country; screening; zoning (3-km restriction zone and 10-km surveillance zone); disinfection of infected premises/establishment. To be undertaken: control of wildlife reservoirs. All poultry holding within 3 km have been clinically checked by official veterinarians. No further spread was found. Texas
Five counties in Texas and New Mexico were quarantined by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) after NDV was confirmed. By the end of April, about 1,900 birds in 31 flocks had been destroyed to contain spread of the disease (see Texas Animal Health Commission, in CIDRAP 2003). The outbreak was considered well contained by early May 2003 (OIE: Disease Information Update, in CIDRAP 2003), and the quarantine was lifted in June for New Mexico and all areas of Texas by August. Texas
Results of a study (Pedersen et al. 2004) which compared isolates from the 2002-2003 virulent NDV outbreak in southern California, Nevada, Arizona, and Texas in the United States with recent v-NDV isolates from Mexico and Central America and reference avian paramyxovirus type 1 strains demonstrated that the California 2002-2003, Arizona, Nevada, and Texas viruses were most closely related to isolates from Mexico and Central America. An isolate from Texas obtained during 2003 appeared to represent a separate introduction of v-NDV into the United States, as this virus was even more closely related to the Mexico 2000 isolates than the California, Arizona, and Nevada viruses. The authors observe that this close relationship of the v-NDV isolates and viruses from countries geographically close to the United States @warrants continued surveillance of commercial and noncommercial poultry for early detection of highly virulent NDV". Thailand
A total of 3,196 native poultry, ducks and geese were depopulated within 24 hours of diagnosis; an additional 8 birds died. The farm was quarantined and countrywide movement restrictions imposed. Thailand
8 deaths were reported and 1,983 native chickens, 1,211 ducks and 2 geese were destroyed. The affected farm was quarantined and movement of birds was controlled within the country. Turkey
Control measures undertaken: vaccination against Newcastle disease was recommended to all poultry farms in Inegol district. Turkey
Control measures undertaken: stamping out; quarantine; movement control inside the country; zoning; disinfection of infected premises/establishments. Other details/comments: in the outbreak area, a total of 40 birds died (30 hens and 10 turkeys), and the remaining 100 birds (70 hens and 30 turkeys) were culled. All carcasses were buried the same day with lime in 2 pits dug on the farm premises. Clinical surveillance has started in the zone, biosecurity measures have been increased. Public awareness is being raised, and training sessions are being conducted. Turkey
Control measures undertaken include stamping out; quarantine; movement control inside the country; zoning; disinfection of infected premises/establishments. In the outbreak area, a total of 120 sick birds died and the 696 remaining live birds were culled by gassing with CO2 in bins, and their owners were compensated. All carcasses were buried that same day with lime in 2 pits dug on the farm premises. Clinical surveillance has been started in the zone and biosecurity measures have been increased. Public awareness is being raised and training sessions are being conducted. United Kingdom (UK)
The 1933 outbreak was the stimulus for the Fowl Pest Order, 1936 which made Newcastle disease and fowl plague notifiable diseases and imposed a slaughter policy on affected flocks (Report of the Committee on Fowl Pest Policy, 1962 in Alexander, 2001).The outbreaks during 1947 resulted in legislation that required the boiling of all swill to be used as animal food and the demand that poultry carcases imported into Britain should be eviscerated and the head and feet removed (MAFF, 1949 in Alexander, 2001). A Committee on Fowl Pest Policy was set up in July 1960 and reported in March 1962 (Report of the Committee on Fowl Pest Policy, 1962). A new policy resulted from the recommendations of this report. Slaughter with compensation was abandoned (except for per-acute ND), allowing the use of inactivated vaccines (MAFF, 1964). This policy came into force in April 1963. A dramatic decrease in Newcastle disease outbreaks was seen by 1965. The live vaccines Hitchner B1 and La Sota were licensed for use, in December 1970 and August 1971 respectively, on the incidence of the second ND panzootic. The outbreaks declined significantly after universal vaccination with the live virus. The relative absence of the disease during the period 1977 - 1983 saw a change in the control policy. On 1st September 1981 the control policy became one of slaughter and vaccination against Newcastle disease was made illegal. The outbreak of the disease in pigeons resulted in a policy of compulsory vaccination for birds taking part in races in April 1994 (The Racing Pigeon (Vaccination) Order, 1994). United Kingdom (UK)
In addition to the culling of affected pheasants, control measures include movement restrictions and the establishment of a surveillance zone. Control measures in the UK include stamping out of birds on the holding, establishment of a protection and surveillance zone of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), export bans of live birds, hatching eggs, meat and eggs outside the EU, and prophylactic vaccination of poultry. The affected two-week-old pheasants were imported from France two weeks prior to showing clinical signs. At this time, the source of the infection has not been officially identified, however an OIE alert dated July 20, 2005, states that 20 pheasants housed at the source flock in France have test postive for ND. Virological test results on these pheasants are pending. French authorities are cooperating with the UK in investigating the source of this outbreak and have stopped further exports of pheasants to the UK.
In 2004, the UK’s poultry stocks amounted to 181 million chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese. Chickens, totaling 170 million head in 2004, comprised the majority of the UK’s poultry stocks, followed by turkeys, ducks, and geese. The UK’s poultry stocks comprised 1% or less of world stocks except for turkeys which accounted for about 3% of world turkey stocks. Chicken meat production, at about 1.24 million metric tons in 2004, makes up the majority of the UK’s poultry meat production. As a share of world chicken and turkey meat production, the UK respectively contributed 1.8% and 4.4% during 2004. In addition to its poultry meat production, the UK produced about 720,000 metric tons of eggs per year during 2003 and 2004. UK exports of these products are sent to numerous countries worldwide, however over one half of the UK’s poultry product exports are shipped to just four countries; Ireland, France, the Netherlands and Germany. United Kingdom (UK)
Movement restrictions have been placed on the 2 release pens (approx 600 birds) and the SVS are in discussion with Trading Standards regarding implementing restrictions on neighbouring footpaths. United Kingdom (UK)
As of the 27th of July 2005 the cull of pheasants at a farm in Surrey to stop the spread of Newcastle Disease has been completed. The affected premises are currently being cleansed and disinfected. Defra has continued to urge poultry keepers all over the country to stay vigilant following the outbreak at the farm and to alert authorities if their birds show suspicious symptoms. There have been no other confirmed outbreaks of the disease anywhere in the country. There has been no evidence of the disease spreading from the original infected area or that infected birds have been imported elsewhere in the UK. Defra moved swiftly once samples taken from pheasants imported for shooting from France proved positive for the disease on 15 Jul 2005. An Infected Area around the outbreak was declared, imposing movement restrictions on poultry and poultry products in order to limit any spread of disease. The State Veterinary Service is carrying out surveillance in the area to detect any signs of spread of disease. The UK contacted the French authorities, who immediately began a thorough investigation. There was a rapid exchange of information with the French authorities, who identified a number of farms that had supplied birds to the infected premises. Their investigations suggest that birds on one farm have been exposed to the ND virus. Other EU Member States and the European Commission have been kept informed and have not imposed any further trade restrictions on either the UK or France. The poultry industry, the NFU, shooting organisations and other stakeholders have been kept closely informed since the disease was confirmed. United States (USA)
U.S. authorities launched eradication efforts, including the destruction of some commercial flocks. Venezuela
Control measures included isolation and quarantine, vaccination, movement restrictions (movement of fighting cocks was restricted and vaccination was required). Victoria
The flock has been quarantined and poses no immediate threat to other poultry operations. Zimbabwe
Dr Stuart Hargreaves reported that bird vaccinations had started in an attempt to contain the disease. The Matabeleland North Provincial Veterinary Officer, Dr Polex Moyo, said so far at least 24 000 chickens had been vaccinated since the exercise began last week. He said some of the areas where vaccination was taking place included Binga, Hwange, Lupane, Umguza, Tsholotsho, Nyamandlovu and Bulawayo. He said his Department was working hard to vaccinate chickens across the entire province. The exercise has also been extended to the multi-million dollar ostrich industry to protect farmers from incurring losses from the highly fatal disease.
Management Resources/Links
2. Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy (CIDRAP). 2003. Exotic Newcastle Disease. 3. Koo, W.W. and Mattson, J.W. 2004. Economics of Detection and Control of Invasive Species: Workshop Highlights. Center for Agricultural Policy and Trade Studies Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics: North Dakota State University. 5. Steneroden, K. 2004. Newcastle Disease. The Center for Food Security and Public Health: Iowa State University. Results Page: 1
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