top of page

Newcastle Disease

Newcastle disease affects chickens and other captive and wild birds. Humans aren’t normally affected, but people in direct contact with infected birds may develop a very short-term eye infection, which passes without treatment.

​

The disease was last confirmed in the UK in 2006 (as stated on Animal and Plant Heath Agency’s website at point of publication).

 

Newcastle Disease is a notifiable disease (just like Avian Influenza). That means if you suspect it you must tell the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) immediately. FAILURE TO DO SO IS AN OFFENCE.

About Newcastle Disease and how to spot it

As the disease develops affected birds may show some of the following signs:

​

  • respiratory distress such as gaping beak, coughing, sneezing, gurgling, rattling

  • nervous signs characterised by tremors and paralysis and twisting of the neck

  • unusually watery faeces (diarrhoea) that are yellowish-green in colour

  • depression

  • lack of appetite

  • sudden lower production of eggs

  • shelling issues

  • may lead to intense clinical signs with a sudden onset leading to likely death.

​

Or may have a lesser affect, with breathing problems and lower egg production the only detectable clinical signs.

How Newcastle Disease is spread

Newcastle disease is highly contagious and can affect poultry of all ages. Spread is usually via the air or through birds eating contaminated faeces. The actual route is dependent on the clinical signs being presented in the effected birds. Transmission through the egg does not occur, however, young chicks can be exposed to the virus that is on the egg shell resulting in the development of disease. Humans play a central role in the spread of the disease.

​

The virus is also very resilient and can survive for long periods (up to 12 months) within faeces and dust in a poultry house. As a result, as with most diseases, cutting corners during cleaning and disinfection can have disastrous results. We recommend a powerful disinfectant such as Interkokask.

​

Other objects that can carry the disease include:

​

  • vehicles

  • equipment

  • clothing

  • water and feed

​

This disease can be spread from wild to domesticated birds. Pigeons may carry Pigeon Paramyxovirus, which can cause Newcastle Disease in domesticated birds.

Preventing and Controlling Newcastle Disease

You can help prevent the disease by:

​

  • vaccinating your animals against the disease – talk to your vet for advice

  • practising strict biosecurity on your premises

 

If you report suspicion of Newcastle Disease, APHA vets will investigate.

 

If the disease is confirmed, the outbreak will be controlled in line with the contingency plan for exotic notifiable diseases and the control strategy for notifiable avian diseases will be implemented.

 

More info can be found HERE.

bottom of page