Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) 



END is a contagious and fatal disease affecting all species of birds. Previously known 

 as velogenic viscerotropic Newcastle disease, END is one of the most infectious 

 diseases of poultry in the world. The mortality in unvaccinated birds can reach 

 100 percent, and birds may die without any clinical signs of disease. Though 

 recommended and widely used, vaccination does not fiiUy protect against END and 

 may obscure the disease, resulting in further spread. 



Identifying Affected Birds 



END affects the respiratory, digestive, and nervous systems. The incubation 

 period ranges from 2 to 15 days. An infected bird may exhibit some or all of the 

 following signs: 



• Sneezing, gasping, nasal discharge, coughing; 



• Greenish, watery diarrhea; 



• Depression, muscular tremors, droopy wings, opisthotonus, circling, 

 complete paralysis; 



• Partial to complete drop in egg production and thin-shelled eggs; 



• Swelling of tissues around the eyes and in the neck; 



• Sudden death; and 



• Increased flock mortality. 



Epidemiology 



END is spread primarily through direct contact with droppings and nasal, ocular, or 

 oral secretions of infected birds. The virus is present in high concentrations in body 

 fluids and discharges and spreads rapidly through birds in confinement. The virus 

 can be carried from one premises to another on contaminated shoes and clothing of 

 service crews and visitors and their contaminated vehicles. END virus survives for 

 several weeks in a warm and humid environment on feathers and in manure and 

 other materials and can survive indefinitely in frozen material. It is rapidly destroyed 

 by dehydration and ultraviolet rays. Smuggled psittacines, especially Amazon parrots 

 from Latin America, pose great risks for introducing the virus into the United States. 

 These parrots are asymptomatic carriers and can carry the virus for up to 400 days. 



Biosecurity Measures on the Farm 



Veterinarians should work with poultry producers to strengthen biosecurity practices. 

 Estabhshed and enforced biosecurity protocols will help prevent introduction of END 

 and other infectious agents. Recommended biosecurity measures include 



3-5 



