VIOLIN: Vaccine Investigation and Online Information Network

I. General Information

1. NCBI Taxonomy ID:

2. Disease:

Newcastle disease

3. Introduction

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a negative-sense single-stranded RNA virus. Transmission occurs by exposure to faecal and other excretions from infected birds, and through contact with contaminated feed, water, equipment and clothing. NDV strains can be categorised as velogenic (highly virulent), mesogenic (intermediate virulence) or lentogenic (nonvirulent). Velogenic strains produce severe nervous and respiratory signs, spread rapidly and cause up to 90% mortality. Mesogenic strains cause coughing, affect egg quality and production and result in up to 10% mortality. Lentogenic strains produce mild signs with negligible mortality. In 1999, promising results were reported using an attenuated strain of the Newcastle virus codenamed MTH-68 in cancer patients. Newcastle disease is a contagious bird disease affecting many domestic and wild avian species. Its effects are most notable in domestic poultry due to their high susceptibility and the potential for severe impacts of an epidemic on the poultry industries. It is endemic to many countries (Wiki: Newcastle disease).

4. Host Ranges and Animal Models

Domestic and wild birds are affected by Newcastle virus, Amazon parrots are can be asymptomatic carriers of the disease (Wiki: Newcastle disease).

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