The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is appealing to poultry keepers to be vigilant for signs of Newcastle disease in their flocks.

Infection from the disease is currently not present in poultry in Ireland, and the last recorded case in the country was in 1997.

The department recently published information about the disease, including guidance for poultry owners.

According to Teagasc, the Irish poultry sector produces 70 million chickens annually, four million turkeys and eggs from two million hens. 

Newcastle disease

DAFM describes Newcastle disease as “a highly contagious and often severe disease which affects birds”, including domestic poultry and other bird species, such as pet, zoo and wild birds.

The disease is characterised by issues in the respiratory and/or nervous systems, impacts on egg production, greenish watery diarrhoea and oedema (swelling) of the tissues around the eyes and the neck.

Newcastle disease is a notifiable disease and suspicions of its presence must be reported to DAFM.

The department noted that Newcastle disease can present a clinical picture very similar to avian influenza (bird flu), so laboratory testing is important in order to confirm the diagnosis.

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Newcastle disease is mostly often transmitted by direct contact with diseased or carrier birds.

Transmission can occur by direct contact with the faeces and respiratory discharges of infected birds or by contaminated food, water, equipment, and clothing.

The viruses can survive for several weeks in the environment, especially in cool weather.

As the disease is very contagious, the department said that if the virus is introduced into a susceptible flock, virtually all the birds may be infected within two to six days.

Some virus strains attack the nervous system, others the respiratory, or digestive systems.

The clinical signs may include birds gasping, coughing, sneezing and rales, experiencing tremors, paralysed wings and legs, twisted necks, circling, spasms, paralysis and diarrhoea.

There can also be a partial or complete drop in egg production, while eggs laid by infected birds may be abnormal in colour, shape, or surface, and have watery albumen

DAFM recommends that all laying birds are vaccinated against Newcastle disease. Broilers and other fattening birds may also be vaccinated, depending on the disease situation.

Biosecurity

DAFM said that biosecurity is the most important way to reduce the risk of poultry diseases, including Newcastle disease and avian influenza, from being introduced into a flock.

The department advises that all owners of poultry and captive birds should adopt strict biosecurity standards at all times.

However, flock owners must remain vigilant as there is the possibility of the Newcastle disease virus being present in the environment or being transmitted to their flock by wild birds.

Outdoor areas where poultry and captive birds have access to, should be fenced or surrounded by netting.

This is to prevent contact between wild birds and poultry and prevent outdoor areas becoming contaminated with bird droppings/feathers.

If wild birds do gain access to poultry areas any droppings/feathers should be carefully removed.

Poultry should be regularly checked for any signs of illness; chickens are more susceptible to Newcastle disease.

Regular cleansing and disinfection should be carried out on all concrete walkways, paths
and similar surfaces.

Only essential visitors should be allowed to have access to the poultry site and should be provided with farm or disposable overalls and footwear, along with handwashing facilities.

DAFM

The department said that Newcastle disease is a minor zoonosis (a disease of animals that can also infect humans) and can cause conjunctivitis in humans, but the condition is generally very mild and self-limiting.

The disease poses no food safety risk to consumers of well-cooked poultry products, including eggs.

If a poultry keeper has any concern that their flock has Newcastle disease, they are asked to take immediate action.

House or confine the birds away from other birds immediately and report the suspect case to the department of agriculture and contact your local Regional Veterinary Office (RVO) .

Outside of office hours, keepers can ring the National Disease Emergency Hotline on 01 492 8026 to report a suspect case.

According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), Newcastle disease has been currently controlled in Canada, the US and some western European countries. It also continues in parts of Africa, Asia and South America.

However, the WOAH noted that since wild birds can sometimes carry the virus without becoming ill, outbreaks can occur anywhere that poultry is raised.