Disease: Newcastle Disease

Pathogen

Newcastle Disease (NCD) is caused by a virus, avian paramyxovirus type 1 (APMV-1). APMV-1 is one of the twelve avian paramyxoviruses recognized to date. The pigeon variant of this virus is called pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 (pPMV-1).

Susceptible species

The natural host for pPMV-1 is pigeons (both wild and domesticated). However, pPMV-1 and other APMV-1 viruses can also infect other wild and captive birds species, including waterfowl, birds of prey, passerines, parrots, and especially poultry (including pheasants). Newcastle Disease virus infection was detected in two mortality-incidents involving multiple Eurasian Collared Doves in North Holland in 2024. This was a regional outbreak.

Signs in animals

In pigeons, the incubation period can range from 4-6 days to 4 weeks. The most common clinical symptoms are apathy, green/watery/bloody diarrhea, torticollis (twisting of the head and neck), ataxia (loss of balance), limb/wing paralysis, and a high number of sudden and unexplained deaths in naïve flocks. Infection during the molt can also affect feather development, leading to brittle or deformed feathers’.

 

Mortality in pigeons and doves can vary depending on the strain of PPMV-1 and other factors, with rates ranging form 10-100%. Birds that survive the infection van shed the virus for several weeks.

Infection of animals

PPMV-1 is shed by infected birds through the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts in bodily fluids such as saliva and faeces. The virus is stable in the environment and can remain infectious for several weeks.

Symptoms in people

If humans get exposed to the virus, it can sometimes lead to mild conjunctivitis, which usually resolves on its own without treatment.

Preventative measures

Although affected wild pigeons can recover within 3 to 8 weeks with supportive care, treatment of infected wild birds is not recommended. The bird can continue to spread the virus and infect other birds in captivity or in the wild. Furthermore, Newcastle Disease is a notifiable disease in poultry under Articles 2.12 and 5.3 of the Animal Welfare Act. Suspected cases must be reported to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).

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