IN THE KNOW: Newcastle Disease Virus

Newcastle Disease Virus affects chickens and other captive and wild birds. While humans are not normally affected, those who had direct contact with infected birds may develop a very short-term eye infection that passes without treatment.

The disease was discovered in Indonesia in 1926, but is named after Newcastle upon Tyne, England, where it occurred in 1927. It is also called Ranikhet disease, pseudofowl pest and avian pneumoencephalitis.

Affected birds may show the following signs: respiratory distress such as gaping beak, coughing, sneezing, gurgling and rattling; tremors and paralysis and twisting of the neck; unusually watery feces that are yellowish-green in color; depression; and lack of appetite.

Affected hens may also suddenly produce fewer eggs. Eggs that are laid may be soft-shelled.

The disease is spread by direct contact with bodily fluids of infected birds, especially their feces. It can also be spread indirectly through people and objects that have been in contact with infected birds or their excretions. Inquirer Research

Source: gov.uk and oie.int