Newcastle/Ranikhet Disease Management in Chicken: Symptoms, Treatment, Diagnosis, and Prevention

Newcastle disease is a highly contagious viral infection that affects domestic poultry and a wide range of bird species, causing clinical symptoms, including respiratory, nervous, and gastrointestinal manifestations. The severity of the disease is influenced by the virulence of the virus and host susceptibility.

The disease is a major concern for the global poultry industry due to its economic impact and the potential for trade restrictions. Early detection and appropriate control measures are crucial to minimize the spread of Newcastle disease and prevent its devastating effects on the poultry industry.

Newcastle/Ranikhet Disease Management in Chicken

Disease cycle of Newcastle Disease

Introduction of the virus into a susceptible bird population, often through contact with infected birds or contaminated equipment or premises.
The virus replicates in infected birds’ respiratory and intestinal tracts, causing a range of clinical signs, including respiratory distress, nervous signs, and digestive disturbances.
In the infected birds of their, their feces, respiratory secretions, and egg products contaminate the environment and potentially infect other birds.
The virus lives in the environment for several weeks or months, depending on factors such as temperature and humidity.
Infected birds may recover from ND and develop immunity or die from the disease.

Symptoms of Newcastle Disease

Loss of appetite
Coughing
Gasping
Nasal discharge
Watery eyes
Bright green diarrhea
Swollen and discolored (purple or blue) combs and wattles
Nervous signs such as paralysis and convulsions
Drop in egg production.
Soft-shelled or malformed eggs

These symptoms may vary in severity depending on the strain of the virus and the age and species of the bird. In some cases, infected birds may not show any clinical signs of the disease. It’s important to report any suspected cases of ND to the appropriate authorities to help prevent the spread of the virus.

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Impact of Newcastle Disease

Newcastle Disease (ND) significantly impacts the poultry industry and beyond. Here are some of the key impacts:

Economic losses: ND is considered one of the most dangerous poultry diseases due to its high mortality rates and negative impact on egg production. Outbreaks can lead to significant economic losses for the poultry industry, particularly in developing countries where small-scale poultry farming is a common source of income.
Disease control measures: Controlling and preventing the spread of ND requires costly and time-consuming measures, such as vaccination, quarantine, and depopulation of infected flocks. These measures can have additional economic impacts on the industry.
Increased vulnerability to other diseases: ND can weaken the immune system of infected birds, making them more susceptible to other diseases, such as Infectious Bronchitis and Avian Influenza.
Zoonotic potential: While ND is not typically transmitted from birds to humans, close contact with infected material can cause transient and benign conjunctivitis in humans. The zoonotic potential of ND highlights the importance of proper biosecurity measures to protect both animal and human health.

Diagnosis of Newcastle Disease in Chicken

A definitive diagnosis of ND requires both virus isolation and laboratory characterization.
Clinical signs and lesions such as prostration, depression, ruffled feathers, diarrhea, torticollis, and paralysis of the legs, wings, or other neurological signs, as well as typical necropsy findings such as mucus in the trachea and hemorrhage in the intestine, can be highly suggestive.
Serological methods such as the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) can detect specific antibodies against the ND virus.
The HI test involves measuring the level of inhibition of the agglutination of chicken red blood cells by specific antibodies in serum samples.
ELISA recognizes anti-NDV antibodies attached to a plate coated with viral antigen by antibodies produced in another species against chicken antibodies.
Virus isolation can be done by isolating and identifying the virus from tracheal and cloacal swabs or other samples, injection into susceptible embryonated eggs, or molecular methods.

Treatment and Control of Newcastle Disease

Newcastle disease has no specific treatment. Antibiotics can help prevent secondary bacterial infections but do not affect viruses. Raising the brooding temperature by 5°F may aid in loss reduction.
The general approaches to the control of Newcastle disease are hygiene and vaccination.
Hygiene measures include cleaning, disinfection, limiting access to wild birds, and personal hygiene of farm staff. Vaccination, in combination with appropriate hygiene measures, remains the most effective way of controlling Newcastle disease.
Vaccination results in immunity against infection and replication of the virus. Realistically, ND vaccination usually protects the bird from the more serious consequences of the disease, but virus replication and shedding may still occur.

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Prevent measures of Newcastle Disease in Chickens.

Vaccination – regularly vaccinate your birds to protect them from Newcastle disease.
Quarantine new birds – keep new birds away from your flock for at least four weeks to prevent the spread of disease.
Avoid contact with other birds – Make sure that anyone who will be in contact with the flock has not had any contact with other birds (including pets) in the previous 24 hours.
Create a perimeter – Install a perimeter fence to keep your chickens from interacting with other birds.
Thoroughly clean and disinfect tools and equipment after being used in other farm areas or close to other flocks.
Keep rodents and wild birds at bay – Implement a pest control strategy to keep rodents and wild birds at bay from your flock.
Establish waste management areas – separate the disposal of dead birds and manure management functions from the flock to avoid contamination.

Conclusion

Newcastle disease is a highly contagious and devastating poultry disease that causes significant economic losses. It is important to implement strict biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of the disease, such as quarantining new birds, avoiding contact with other birds, establishing a perimeter, properly cleaning tools and equipment, and keeping rodents and wild birds away. Regular vaccination is also crucial in controlling the disease.

Newcastle/Ranikhet Disease Management in Chicken: Symptoms, Treatment, Diagnosis, and Prevention

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