Newcastle Disease
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.
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 range and severity of the clinical signs is influenced by the strain of virus and the age, condition and species of the birds affected. Clinical signs in poultry range from a mild, almost unapparent 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.
Where is the disease found, and how is it spread?
Australia is currently free of virulent ND. Avirulent strains of ND virus are present in most countries, including Australia. Outbreaks of virulent ND have occurred in Australia. The last outbreak occurred in Victoria in 2002.
Spread is usually by direct physical contact with infected or disaesed 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 and equipment can easily carry the virus from one shed or farm to another.
How can you destroy the virus?
Newcastle disease virus 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 contaminated poultry sheds for many weeks. Normal cooking - at a minimum core temperature of 80 degrees Celsius for one minute, 75 degrees Celsius for 5 minutes or 70 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes - completely destroys the virus in meat.
What is done when virulent Newcastle disease is identified in Australia?
When virulent Newcastle disease is identified in Australia each incident is managed according to the AUSVETPLAN disease strategy for the control and eradication of Newcastle Disease.
There is an attempt to eradicate the virus by "stamping out" or 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.
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 Newcastle disease 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) manage and facilitate exports.
The effective and timely introduction of quarantine controls around infected or at risk properties minimises the risk of spread and any commercial impact.
Do any restrictions apply to the movement of poultry and poultry products or birds within or into Victoria?
Yes. 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 National Newcastle Disease Management Plan (e.g. introducing day-old layer pullets). If young chickens are introduced htat 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 that may be used is available. Alternatively, an appropriate statement on the invoice accompanying the chickens may be used.
Information regarding poultry movements outside of Victoria must be obtained from the relevant state authorities.
Useful Web links
Please note: by electing to visit these sites, you will be leaving the DPI website.
- DAFF Newcastle Disease Information
- Animal Health Australia - Newcastle Disease
- World Organisation for Animal Health (Newcastle Disease - Aetiology, Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Prevention and control, References)
Newcastle Disease Vaccination
Introduction
Vaccination of chickens in commercial poultry flocks is compulsory in Victoria. Newcastle disease prevention in Australia is managed under the National Newcastle Disease Management Plan (external link) . The current plan is effective for period 2008-21 and replaces all previous plans. In accordance with the National Management Plan, an Order under section 29 of the Livestock Disease Control Act 1994 (PDF126kb) requires that owners or managers of commercial poultry flocks vaccinate chickens for Newcastle Disease in accordance with nationally agreed Standard Operating Procedures (NVD SOPs).
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, a virulent Newcastle Disease virus of Australian origin emerged and was associated with a number of outbreaks of Newcastle disease in NSW and one outbreak in Victoria. Each incident was managed according to the AUSVETPLAN disease strategy for the control and eradication of Newcastle Disease (external Link).
The National Management Group for Emergency Animal Diseases endorsed a compulsory Newcastle Disease vaccination program as part of the National Newcastle Disease Management plan developed by Animal Health Australia (external link) to manage the risk of future outbreaks or incursions.
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
Meat chickens are to be vaccinated in accordance with the NDVP SOP for Meat chickens.
Laying Hens
Laying hens and pullets vaccinated on litter are to be vaccinated in accordance with the NDVP SOP for Laying hens and pullets (vaccinated on litter)
Laying hens adn pullets vaccinated in cage systems are to be vaccinated in accordance with the NDVP SOP for Laying hens and pullets (vaccinated in cages)
Breeding Chickens
Meat Breeders are to be vaccinated in accordance with the NDVP SOP for Meat Breeders
Layer Breeders are to be vaccinated in accordance with the NDVP SOP for Layer Breeders
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 Deputy 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 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.
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. Serological testing requirements are detailed in the Newcastle Disease Vaccination Program standard operating procedures.
How is vaccine administered in commercial flocks?
Vaccine is to be administered in accordance with Manufacturer’s recommendations. 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.
What is a Property Identification Code?
Owners of more than 500 poultry are required to apply for a Property Identification Code (PIC) if they do not already have one (e.g. Obtained one in the past for cattle). 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 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 Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer or Manager Animal Standards.
A permit can be granted if the Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer or 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.
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. A copy of these can be obtained by contacting the Manager Animal Standards.
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) | Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Department of Primary Industries 475 Mickleham Road, Attwood Vic 3049 Ph: (03) 92174246 Fax: (03) 9217 4322 Email: deputy cvo@dpi.vic.gov.au |
| 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 |
