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Newcastle Disease
About the disease I Compulsory Newcastle disease vaccination I Vaccine permit
Questions and Answers - Newcastle Disease (ND)
The following information has been compiled to inform the general public who may wish to gain a greater understanding of Newcastle Disease in poultry. It explains a little about the disease and its importance, its symptoms and occurrence, and Victoria's prevention and control methods.
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What is Newcastle disease?
Newcastle disease is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic poultry, cage and aviary birds and wild birds. It is characterised by digestive, respiratory and/or nervous signs. The disease has a number of strains that differ in the severity of their clinical signs, ranging from inapparent infection to a rapidly fatal condition.
Where does the name come from?
Newcastle disease first came to international attention in Newcastle on Tyne, England, in 1926. It has nothing to do with Newcastle, NSW.
Which species are affected?
Newcastle disease virus can infect many species of domestic and wild birds. Most susceptible are domestic fowls, turkeys, pigeons and parrots. Milder disease is seen in ducks, geese, pheasants, quail, guinea fowl and canaries.
What are the symptoms?
The severity of the clinical signs is influenced by the strain of virus and the age, condition and species of the bird. Clinical signs in poultry range from a mild, almost inapparent respiratory disease to a very severe depression, drop in egg production, increased respiration, profuse diarrhoea followed by collapse, or long-term nervous signs (such as twisted necks) if the birds survive. Death rate can be up to 100 per cent in severe forms of the disease. The incubation period is usually 5–6 days, but can vary from 2–15 days.
Is there a public health risk?
Medical authorities have confirmed that the disease poses NO public health risk to consumers of eggs or poultry products. Chickens that show signs of disease are destroyed and are not used for human consumption; any virus in birds that failed to show symptoms would be completely destroyed by normal cooking.
Where is the disease found, and how is it spread?
Strains of ND virus are present in most countries, including Australia. Outbreaks of virulent ND in recent years in localised areas of NSW were eradicated between 1998 and 2001. Spread is usually by direct physical contact with infected or diseased birds. The virus is excreted in manure and is breathed out into the air. Other sources of infection are contaminated equipment, carcases, water, food and clothing. People can easily carry the virus from one shed or farm to another.
How can you destroy the virus?
If the virus is confirmed, it can be easily destroyed by heat or by treatment with acids or alkalis. It is destroyed by direct sunlight within 30 minutes, but in cool weather can survive in manure or in contaminated poultry sheds for many weeks. Normal cooking — at a minimum core temperature of 80C for one minute, 75 for 5 minutes or 70 for 30 minutes — completely destroys the virus in meat.
What should be done when virulent Newcastle disease is identified?
Accepted international practice is to attempt to stamp out (eradicate) the disease by destroying all birds that may have been exposed to the virus and to dispose of any infected or exposed products. This is done in conjunction with strict quarantine and movement controls to contain the virus; decontamination to remove any remaining virus; tracing and surveillance to determine the extent of infection; and zoning to define at-risk and disease-free areas.
Whether this response is appropriate must be determined by the individual circumstances involved with outbreaks. Use of vaccination may be considered and used in certain circumstances e.g. poultry flocks in areas of NSW that experienced recent outbreaks are routinely vaccinated as a risk management measure.
An Application is issued by DPI for a Permit to Purchase, Possess and Administer Newcastle Disease Vaccine in Victoria (PDF 63KB).
How are infected birds and product disposed of?
Disposal of any destroyed birds and potentially contaminated or infected products is undertaken in conjunction with animal welfare authorities in strict accordance with standards and controls established by the relevant State Environment Protection Authority.
Is it the same as bird flu?
No — the two diseases are entirely unrelated. Avian influenza (which has been responsible for ‘bird flu’ outbreaks in recent years) is caused by an orthomyxovirus; Newcastle disease is caused by a paramyxovirus, a member of a different family of viruses.
What is the impact on our overseas trade?
Australia has a significant trade in poultry and poultry products, including day-old chickens. The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) manages and facilitates exports.
The effective and timely introduction of quarantine controls around infected or at risk properties minimises the risk of spread and any commercial impact. AQIS can be contacted on Ph: 9338 3344 (live birds and eggs) or Ph: 9246 6721 (other poultry products such as meat).
Do any restrictions apply to the movement of poultry and poultry products or birds in Victoria?
When virulent Newcastle disease is confirmed, restrictions are placed on the movements of poultry and poultry products from a "Restricted Area" around the infected premises and a wider 'Control Area'. All restrictions in relation to the NDV incident at Meredith in 2002 were removed in early September 2002
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Compulsory Newcastle disease vaccination
Introduction
Vaccination of chickens in commercial poultry flocks is compulsory in Victoria. An Order under section 29 of the Livestock Disease Control Act 1994 (PDF 31KB) introduced a requirement that owners or managers of commercial poultry flocks vaccinate chickens for Newcastle disease in accordance with nationally agreed Standard Operating Procedures (NDVP SOPs).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is vaccination compulsory in commercial poultry flocks?
Apart from incidents in 1930 and 1932, which were managed by eradication, Australia was free from Newcastle disease until 1998. Between 1998 and 2002, the emergence of Australian origin Newcastle disease and ND virulent “precursor” viruses was associated with a number of outbreaks of Newcastle disease in NSW and an incident in a poultry flock in the south west of Victoria. Each incident has been managed by eradication.
The National Management Group for Emergency Animal Diseases endorsed a compulsory ND vaccination program as part of a plan developed by Animal Health Australia (external link) to manage the risk of future outbreaks or incursions.
All Australian Governments and the chicken meat and egg industries have agreed that the costs involved in the Newcastle disease management strategy (involving compulsory vaccination and improved biosecurity) and the benefits achievable far outweigh the cost of responding to potential further outbreaks of Newcastle disease.
What chickens must be vaccinated?
All chickens in any commercial poultry flock in Victoria must be vaccinated in accordance with Newcastle Disease Vaccination Program Standard Operating Procedures (NDVP SOPs) . A commercial poultry flock is any managed group of more than 1,000 domestic chickens. Commercial flocks include flocks of meat chickens, laying hens, and chickens used for breeding purposes.
Meat chickens are to be vaccinated in accordance with the NDVP SOP for meat chickens (PDF 15KB). Laying hens and pullets reared and housed on a floor based system are to be vaccinated in accordance with the NDVP SOP for Laying hens and pullets (on the floor) (PDF 35KB). Laying hens and pullets reared and housed in cage systems are to be vaccinated in accordance with the NDV SOP for Laying hens and pullets (in cages) (PDF 36KB). Breeder chickens are to be vaccinated in accordance with the NDVP SOP for breeders (on the floor) (PDF 35KB).
Exemptions may apply to Specific Pathogen Free poultry flocks or other highly biosecure commercial poultry flocks operating in accordance with a permit issued by the Chief Veterinary Officer or the Manager Animal Standards.
What if I am introducing chickens into my flock from another flock?
Owners of commercial poultry flocks must only introduce chickens into their flock that have been vaccinated for Newcastle disease, unless the birds have yet to reach an age for which vaccination is required in accordance with the NDVP Standard Operating Procedures (eg introducing day-old layer pullets). If young chickens are introduced that have not been vaccinated or are only partially vaccinated, the owner of the recipient flock assumes responsibility for vaccination or completion of the required vaccination program.
Introduced chickens must be accompanied by a vendor declaration stating the age and number of chickens and the date(s) and type(s) of Newcastle disease vaccine administered. A vendor declaration form (PDF 35KB) that may be used is available. Alternatively, an appropriate statement on the invoice accompanying the chickens may be used.
What records must I keep?
Owners of commercial poultry flocks are required to maintain for 3 years a record of all ND vaccine used by type of vaccine, date of administration, location, and age and number of chickens vaccinated. Vendor declarations for introduced vaccinated chickens must also be maintained for 3 years. Any records of serological monitoring for Newcastle disease undertaken in the flock must also be maintained for 3 years.
Breeder and layer chickens between 4 weeks of age and 18 weeks of age are required to be vaccinated with live V4 vaccine followed by inactivated vaccine within 6 weeks of administration of live V4 vaccine.
Breeder and layer chickens between 4 weeks of age and 18 weeks of age may be vaccinated with live V4 vaccine followed by inactivated vaccine within 6 weeks of administration of live V4 vaccine. Alternatively for these birds the breeder or layer flock may be tested and may or may not require vaccination or further monitoring depending on the mean titre of antibodies to Newcastle disease demonstrated.
What testing for Newcastle disease must be carried out in commercial flocks?
Serological testing for Newcastle disease is useful to demonstrate the effectiveness of the vaccination program.
Testing is not mandatory unless the birds in the flock are to be retained beyond 86 weeks of age. In this case, depending on the mean titre (ie level of antibody) demonstrated in a serological test carried out at 80 weeks of age, the flock may or may not require further vaccination for Newcastle disease.
If you choose to vaccinate day-old meat chickens with live V4 vaccine, serological testing should be undertaken to verify the effectiveness of the vaccination regime.
Samples for serological monitoring are to be collected by a veterinary practitioner or a person approved by the Chief Veterinary Officer in accordance with approved procedures for serological monitoring (PDF 34KB).
How is vaccine administered in commercial flocks?
Vaccine is to be administered in accordance with Manufacturer’s recommendations. Live V4 vaccine is an attenuated vaccine which should be stored at –20 C and handled carefully. Administration is via drinking water. Inactivated vaccine is given by intramuscular injection. Advice on vaccine administration should be sought from your veterinary practitioner or from local animal health staff of the Department of Primary Industries. Suppliers of vaccine are listed below.
Please note, as of late 2006, regulations were introduced that owners of more than 500 poultry, are now required to apply for a Property Identification Code (PIC) if they do not already have one. (eg. Obtained one in the past for cattle). The term Poultry is defined as domesticated fowl, chickens, ducks, geese, turkey, guinea fowl, pigeons, emus or ostriches.
How do I obtain a PIC?
How do I apply for vaccine?
Print and complete the Application for a Permit to Purchase, Possess and Administer Newcastle Disease Vaccine (PDF63kb) in Victoria and fax it to Manager Animal Standards.
Who bears the cost of vaccination?
Owners of commercial poultry flocks pay their own costs for vaccination.
Can I use a different vaccination schedule to those detailed in the respective Newcastle Disease Vaccination Program Standard Operating Procedures?
Vaccination must be in accordance with the NDVP SOPs, unless otherwise approved in writing by the Manager Animal Standards. A permit can be granted if the Manager Animal Standards considers that the proposed vaccination schedule will result in an equivalent mean antibody titre to Newcastle disease in the flock, and serological monitoring is undertaken to demonstrate that equivalence.
Vaccine suppliers
Bioproperties Pty Ltd
36 Charter Street
RINGWOOD VIC 3134
Phone: (03) 9876 0567
Fax: (03) 9876 0556
- Vaxsafe ND Vaccine (Living) - Note - this vaccine is currently registered for use in BROILERS, not for layers or meat breeders.
Intervet (Australia) Pty Ltd
91 – 105 Harpin Street
BENDIGO EAST VIC 3550
Phone: (03) 5442 5011
Fax: (03) 5442 3162
- Nobilis Newcavac Inactivated Newcastle Disease Vaccine
or “combinations”:
- Nobilis Gumboro+ND Combined Inactivated Vaccine
- Nobilis EDS+ND Combined Inactivated Vaccine
Fort Dodge Australia Pty Ltd
Parkview Business Centre
1 Maitland Place
BAULKHAM HILLS NSW 2153
Phone: (02) 9899 2111
Fax: (02) 9899 2151
- Websters Newcastle Disease Vaccine “V4 Strain” SPF (Living)
- Poulvac Newcastle iK Vaccine (Inactivated)
Further information
| 7(i) | Chief Veterinary Officer
Department of Primary Industries
475 Mickleham Road, Attwood Vic 3049
Ph: (03) 92174246
Fax: (03) 9217 4322
Email: hugh.millar@dpi.vic.gov.au
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| 7(ii) | Manager Animal Standards
Department of Primary Industries
PO Box 2500
Bendigo Vic 3554
Phone: (03) 5430 4438
Fax: (03) 5430 4520
Email: tony.britt@dpi.vic.gov.au |
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