Newcastle disease is a very contagious disease caused by a virus of the Paramixo family. Most of the yard birds, like chickens, turkeys, ducks, guinea fowls, pheasants, quails or ostriches can be infected with Newcastle disease, especially because of precarious hygiene conditions and because farmers usually do not try to prevent this disease in any way. Newcastle disease is different from the common bird flu, even if they are clinically similar.



Bird flu is caused by a different virus. The greatest risk of spreading this disease is represented by migratory birds which carry the Newcastle virus.

Way of transmission: -The virus is present in the expired air, secretions or feces of  Newcastle infected birds; -Water, food or contaminated human clothing; -For humans, the transmission of Newcastle disease does not represent any danger- if you interact with Newcastle infected birds, you will most likely have fever for a couple of days, conjunctivitis or a light flu;



Clinical diagnosis of Newcastle disease (Newcastle’s disease symptoms): -Difficulty in breathing, coughing; -Fallen wings, hard walking, complete paralysis; -Birds no longer lay eggs; -Watery or green diarrhea; -Inflammation of the area around the eyes and neck; -If birds get ill or die, this depends on the aggressiveness of the Newcastle virus, the degree of immunity offered by the vaccine or the environmental conditions;

Prevention and control: -Vaccination in time of birds and correct administration of medication; -The area in which the birds are breed should offer impeccable hygiene conditions; -Interdiction of moving or transporting Newcastle infected birds, as well as interdiction of dumping waste coming from infected birds; -New persons will not be brought around the area where Newcastle infected birds are kept (farms, barns, stables, etc.), and the area needs to be disinfected! -Only after a month since the area has been disinfected it can be repopulated; -Newcastle infected birds are sacrificed and their eggs are destroyed; -Contact a vet!

The Newcastle disease was first referred to in 1927 in Indonesia and in Europe, in Newcastle locality. The vaccination of Newcastle infected birds is mandatory and subsidized by the state. Other Newcastle’s disease symptoms are malaise (general feelings of discomfort or being ill-at-ease), fatigue, depression, conjunctivitis, flu-like symptoms, dry cough, aches, and loss of appetite, fever, shivering and chills.



There is no treatment or vaccine for Newcastle’s disease. But injections with hyper- immune serums have been used to protect the exposed birds before they became symptomatic. After birds show signs of Newcastle’s disease, the hyper-immune serums are ineffective and the birds should be sacrificed. The prognosis for the Newcastle disease is poor, with almost 100 percent mortality rate, once the birds are infected. All of us can play a role in helping to eliminate this deadly disease, if we just follow the advice above. Any poultry or pet bird owners or vets who suspect a bird may have the Newcastle Disease, should immediately contact State or Federal animal health authorities. There should be also reported any suspicions regarding suppliers.