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Exotic Newcastle's Disease Page 1 of 3
<br /> Exotic Newcastle's Disease
<br /> There has been an outbreak of Exotic Newcastle's Disease virus in Southern California recently.A press release was sent out
<br /> on October 3, 2002 to notify the public about this very serious outbreak. Because poultry in this country are very susceptible to
<br /> Exotic Newcastle's Disease, it is important that the public be made aware of how to potentially identify this disease,to prevent
<br /> its spread.This virus has the potential to cause devastating losses in commercial poultry facilities.
<br /> Newcastle's Disease is caused by a paramyxovirus, called PMV-1,one of nine serotypes of this virus identified.There are four
<br /> large groups based on how dangerous they are and the type of disease that they cause in chickens. PMV-1 can infect a broad
<br /> range of animals, including many species of mammals(including humans)and most species of birds.
<br /> Two strains of Newcastle's Disease virus(NDV)are common in domestic fowl in the United States, called lentogenic and
<br /> mesogenic. There are two foreign strains, called velogenic strains that do not naturally occur in this country,WND(velogenic
<br /> viscerotropic Newcastle's Disease)and VNND (velogenic neurotropic Newcastle's Disease).To prevent the introduction of
<br /> WND and VNND, as well as avian influenza,the USDA restricted the importation of birds in the early 1970's, setting up
<br /> quarantine stations to monitor imported birds for these viruses. Birds being imported to the United States must be quarantined
<br /> in a USDA-controlled facility where they will be monitored and tested for PMV-1. Most recently,WND and VNND have been
<br /> classified as Exotic Newcastle's Disease.
<br /> In parrots,the signs may vary greatly. Some birds may remain completely normal while infected, others may develop the
<br /> disease and recover,or they may die acutely with no premonitory signs,or they may die after a long illness. Infected birds can
<br /> have a combination of mild to severe signs involving the respiratory system,gastrointestinal system or nervous system. Birds
<br /> with nervous system signs that are severe usually results in death.
<br /> Signs in infected psittacine birds may include depression,anorexia, eye and nasal discharge,conjunctivitis, sneezing,
<br /> coughing,difficulty breathing, diarrhea, unsteadiness, abnormal positioning of the head, convulsions,circling,tremors and
<br /> paralysis of the legs and wings. Neurologic signs may intensify when infected birds are excited or disturbed. It is thought that
<br /> lovebirds,Amazon parrots, Psittaculidae, Plum-headed parakeets and Eclectus are very susceptible. Some cockatoos are
<br /> more susceptible than others.Cockatiels are moderately susceptible. Budgies appear to be relatively resistant to natural
<br /> infection.
<br /> WND is the most virulent form of PMV 1 affecting poultry. Smuggling of birds is considered the only route by which WND
<br /> virus could enter the United States. However, once here, it can spread to any susceptible bird. Poultry that are infected usually
<br /> die rather quickly.Among exposed poultry, a very high majority will succumb to the virus and die.This could have very serious
<br /> repercussions for commercial poultry facilities, as they may sustain extremely high losses among their birds.
<br /> The incubation period can vary from three to 28 days, depending on the strain,the quantity of virus and susceptibility of the
<br /> host bird. In psittacines,the incubation period ranges from five to 16 days. In chickens,the incubation period averages about
<br /> five days.
<br /> The disease is transmitted when the virus is shed from an infected bird (in all secretions, but primarily in respiratory secretions)
<br /> and a susceptible bird either ingests or inhales virus particles.Aerosolized fecal dust and contaminated bedding are
<br /> considered potential sources for infection. NDV is very stable outside of an infected bird, so insects, rodents and humans can
<br /> disseminate the virus to other susceptible birds.The virus has also been demonstrated to be transmitted from chicken to
<br /> chicken by feather mites. Free-ranging wild birds should be of minimal importance in spreading the virus and migratory birds
<br /> appear to have no impact on the spread of the virus. Infected birds may appear normal and shed the virus in their feces.
<br /> Amazon parrots may shed the virus for more than a year without showing clinical signs themselves.
<br /> WND should not be a concern for professional psittacine breeders and pet owners who avoid birds that have entered this
<br /> country illegally. Fighting cocks and other birds illegally smuggled into this country are usually responsible for outbreaks in this
<br /> country.
<br /> In this outbreak in Southern California,the birds initially identified to be infected with Exotic Newcastle's Disease were all
<br /> poultry species,according to Dr. Prassad, an avian veterinarian with the Exotic Newcastle's Disease Task Force in California.
<br /> More recently, Exotic Newcastle's Disease has been diagnosed in two wild pigeons in Riverside, CA that were scavenging
<br /> feed on a poultry operation, and were found alongside chickens inside coops.Wild pigeons cannot be easily contained and
<br /> isolated to prevent the spread of the disease.
<br /> If you will be around birds suspected of being infected with NDV,you should shower,change clothes, remove shoes and
<br /> disinfect any items that were also exposed, prior to handling your own birds. However, prevention is best.Try to avoid any sick
<br /> birds to prevent the possible spread of the virus. Sound hygiene is necessary to prevent the spread of the virus. Insects and
<br /> rodents must also be controlled to prevent spread of the virus.
<br /> http://www.exoticpetvct.net/avian/neweastle.html 5/23/2008
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