UK raises Newcastle disease risk to medium as European outbreaks surge

Key facts

• The UK government raised its Newcastle disease risk level from low to medium after confirmed cases in Spain, Poland and Germany.
• Newcastle disease is caused by avian paramyxovirus serotype 1 and causes clinical signs ranging from mild respiratory issues to severe neurological symptoms and sudden high mortality.
• The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) published a new outbreak assessment highlighting the growing European disease picture and the threat from migrating birds moving across Europe from March through May.
• National Farmers Union (NFU) Poultry board chair Will Raw urged producers to maintain strict biosecurity and ensure appropriate vaccination against Newcastle disease.
• Commercial layers, breeders and turkey producers typically use multiple live vaccines plus a final inactivated dose before point of lay.
• The virus spreads via direct contact with infected birds or indirectly via contaminated vehicles, equipment, clothing, water or feed.
• Newcastle disease has a broader host range than avian influenza, including pigeons, crows and gulls, increasing prevention difficulty.
• UK historical outbreaks include over 7,000 cases from the Essex 70 virus in the 1970s, 15 broiler and turkey outbreaks in 1997 and one Scottish gamebird case in 2006.