Birds and Newcastle Disease

Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) is a Contagious Viral Illness that can Cause High Death Rates in Birds

Jan 2, 2007

Poultry, pet birds, and wild birds all catch exotic Newcastle disease. Virulent strains kill more than 90 percent. END is endemic in some countries and absent in others.

What is exotic Newcastle disease?

Exotic Newcastle disease (END) got its name from an outbreak near Newcastle-on-Tyne in England, one of the earliest outbreaks recorded. Exotic Newcastle disease is a viral disease of birds that can infect domestic, wild and pet birds. It affects birds’ respiratory, intestinal, and nervous systems. As with many viruses, there are different strains, some of which are extremely virulent while others are quite benign. When a virulent strain of Newcastle virus (Rubulavirus) infects a poultry flock, more than 90% of infected birds may die.

What are the symptoms of exotic Newcastle disease?

Birds with END exhibit any of the following:

Respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, gasping, coughing, and nasal discharge.
Lethary.
Lack of appetite.
Diarrhea.
Swelling around the eyes and neck.
Discoloration of the wattle, comb, and legs.
Lack of coordination, strange movements of the head, dragging wings, muscle tremors, paralysis.
Lack of egg production or soft malformed eggs.
Some birds die suddenly without appearing ill.

How does exotic Newcastle disease spread?

The Newcastle virus is quite hardy, surviving for weeks in the environment and indefinitely in sub-freezing temperatures. Thus, contact with sick birds or even with their environment can enable transmission of the virus. Humans can carry the virus from one place to another and infect healthy birds. Some birds are asymptomatic carriers of the virus.

Is there treatment for exotic Newcastle disease?

Exotic Newcastle disease can’t be treated, and when infected birds have been discovered in a flock, the entire flock has to be destroyed to prevent further spread, followed by disinfection of anything the birds came in contact with.

The best way to prevent END is to vaccinate birds, thoroughly disinfect equipment and facilities before introducing new birds, and prevent the introduction of the virus in the first place—one reason why governments regulate the importation of birds into countries where END is not endemic.

Can exotic Newcastle disease affect humans?

Rare cases of conjunctivitis and a mild flu-like illness have been reported in people who came in contact with sick or dead birds during a Newcastle disease outbreak. These infections are mild and pose no serious risk to health.

Interestingly, a variant of Rubulavirus is being studied because of its potential to help in cancer treatment. It’s thought that the virus multiplies in cancer cells and destroys them, while leaving healthy cells unharmed. Initial clinical studies were inconclusive.

Sources:

OIE. Newcastle Disease.

Wikipedia. Newcastle Disease.

National Cancer Institute: US National Institutes of Health. Newcastle Disease Virus.