Endemic in many countries, Newcastle Disease affects domestic and wild birds. It is highly contagious and deadly to unvaccinated bird populations.
Newcastle Disease is spread to healthy birds through contact with the secretions or faeces of infected birds. Symptoms vary depending on the strain of the virus and can include respiratory and nervous signs, drooping wings, misshapen eggs and greenish, watery diarrhoea, among others.
There is currently no treatment for Newcastle Disease, so vaccination and prevention are important. Prevention tactics include: Vaccinating bird populations, isolating outbreaks, avoiding contact with birds of unknown health status, and thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting premises.