Prevention and Control of Newcastle Disease

Newcastle disease (ND) is very important disease of poultry birds. The ND virus has capability to infect wide range of poultry birds including domestic, commercial layer, broiler and breeder flocks, and is responsible for high morbidity and mortality. The ND is prevalent in domestic (rural) and commercial flocks, and is responsible for heavy economic losses in developing countries like Pakistan. Many factors include, lack of proper vaccination, adaptation of quarantine measures, poor bio-security practices etc. are responsible for outbreaks of ND. The ND virus infects respiratory, digestive and nervous system and in severe cases may cause high economic losses. Wide ranges of clinical signs are observed in affected birds and disease can be diagnosed based on clinical signs and laboratory isolation of virus. The disease can be prevented through vaccination and adaptation of strict bio-security and quarantine control measures. During the outbreak of disease proper disposal of dead birds and zoning of the area can help to control the disease in surrounding flocks.