EPIDEMIOLOGY - Many species of both domestic and wild birds; The mortality and morbidity rates vary according to species and depending on the viral strain; The chickens are more susceptible to poultry, ducks and geese are the least susceptible; There may be a carrier state in psittacine and some other wild birds



Transmission - Direct contact with secretions from infected birds, particularly feces; Food, water, tools, premises, human clothing, etc.
Sources of virus - Respiratory secretions, feces; All parts of dead birds; The virus is transmitted during the incubation period and for a limited period during convalescence. It has been shown that some parrots pass for more than a year the virus of Newcastle disease intermittently

Geographical Distribution - Newcastle disease is endemic in many countries. For years, some European countries have not had this disease. For more details on geographical distribution, see recent issues of World Animal Health and the OIE Bulletin

DIAGNOSIS - The incubation period of 4-6 days; Clinical diagnosis. Poultry disease and symptoms: Wheezing and coughing; Drooping wings, dragging legs, head and neck twisted, traveling in circles, depression, inapetence, complete paralysis.

Complete or partial interruption of egg production. Deformed eggs, rugged and thin-shelled and contain watery albumen; Green watery diarrhea; Swollen tissues around the eyes and neck. Morbidity and mortality depend on the virulence of the virus strain, degree of immunity to vaccination, environmental conditions and the status of birds on the farm.

Injuries - The poultry disease and symptoms of this disease produce no pathognomonic gross lesions; Several birds should be examined to make a tentative diagnosis. For the final diagnosis must await the virus isolation and identification

The lesions can be found are: Interstitial tissue edema or peritracheal the neck, especially near the thoracic inlet; Congestion and sometimes bleeding from the tracheal mucosa; Petechiae and small ecchymoses on the mucosa of the proventriculus, concentrated around the orifices of the mucous glands; Edema, hemorrhage, necrosis or ulceration of the mucosal lymphoid tissue in the intestinal wall; Edema, hemorrhage, or degeneration of the ovaries

Differential Diagnosis - Fowl cholera; Avian Influenza; Laryngotracheitis; Avian pox (diphtheritic form); Psittacosis (chlamydiosis) (psittacine birds); Mycoplasmoses; Infectious Bronchitis; Pacheco's parrot disease (psittacine birds); Also driving errors, such as lack of water, air, food

Laboratory Diagnosis - Procedure: Identification of agent; Inoculation of chicken eggs embryonated 9-11 days, then: Review of the hemagglutination activity; Hemagglutination inhibition using a specific antiserum to Newcastle disease.

Assessment of pathogenity - Test plaques in cultures of embryonic fibroblasts; Average time of death through embryonated chicken eggs; Intracerebral pathogenity index in 1-day-old chicks; Intravenous pathogenity index in chickens for 6 weeks. Serological tests - Proof of hemagglutination inhibition

ELISA - Hits; Identification of agent; Tracheal and swabs (or stool samples) of live birds or groups of bodies and feces from dead birds. Serological tests - Samples of clotted blood or serum

PREVENTION AND CONTROL - No treatment; Sanitary prophylaxis; Strict isolation of outbreaks; Destruction of all infected and exposed birds to infection; Clean and disinfect the premises thoroughly; Adequate destruction of dead birds; Pest control on farms; A deadline of 21 days before restocking; Avoid contact with birds whose health status is unknown; Control of human movement; It is recommended breeding age group per farm; Medical prophylaxis