Pseudo-plague or Newcastle disease

Newcastle disease or, as it is also called, pseudo-plague is one of the most common diseases among birds... Thousands of poultry die from it every year. But few people know that this disease is dangerous for humans.

Signs and symptoms of Newcastle disease

The incubation stage of the virus lasts for 7-12 days, but the disease itself is visible immediately. Unvaccinated birds and birds with weak immune systems die 2-3 hours after infection, while showing no symptoms.

It is also worth paying attention to other symptoms:

• Nervous system problems... The bird has impaired coordination, paralysis of the limbs or neck;
• Digestive tract problems. Birds have decreased appetite, diarrhea (diarrhea);
• Damage to the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth. Mucus discharge, cough, spitting up;
• Vision problems. Conjunctivitis and blurred eyes;
• Increased body temperature. Inactivity, depression.

Young chickens die within three days after infection in the acute stage of the disease.

The chronic stage is also rare in hens with strong immune systems. For such cases, it is typical:

• inactivity;
• convulsions limbs and cervical spine;
• loss of appetite and depletion of the body;
• excitability nervous system;
• head wobble.

In this case, the chances of salvation are great. With proper and timely treatment mortality risk no more than 15-30%.

All poultry such as chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, broilers, etc. are susceptible to this disease. Young birds are most at risk of infection.

Sources of infection

Such sources are sick or incubating bird. You should also beware of rodents and wild birds. The infection is transmitted through non-disinfected food products (eggs, meat), raw materials (bedding, feathers, down, feed). Infection also occurs through clothing and shoes that have been in contact with an infected bird.

In places where birds congregate, the Newcastle virus is transmitted through the ventilation system.

Although this virus has been known for a long time, a generally applicable therapy has not yet been developed. Basically, a large number of infected birds are simply destroyed.

Treatment in adult birds and chickens

As already mentioned, there are no generally accepted principles of treatment, but preventive measures will help reduce the risk of infection.

In chickens

There are cases of pseudo-plague infection in chickens that have not been in contact with infected adults. To avoid such cases chickens need to be vaccinated... Birds acquire immunity 96 hours after taking the vaccine. And also in the event that the bird gets sick and remains alive, which happens quite rarely.

For this, special lamps are placed in rooms with birds. When eating meat or eggs it is worth subjecting the products to heat treatment.

The geese

This poultry has much higher immunity than chickens. But geese are also frequent victims of the Newcastle virus... And they should also be vaccinated at the age of chicks. Geese are good carriers of infection and transmit the virus without much harm to themselves. They are much better treatable and the risk of mortality is much lower... But the risk of human infection is higher, since not all birds that carry the infection show symptoms of the disease, and a person can pick up the virus without knowing why for some time.

The ducks

Ducks are also often carriers of this virus. It is worth making sure that the birds do not come into contact with wild brethren and keep the premises clean. Rodents are also carriers of the virus... So at the first appearance of rodents, it is worth carrying out deratization.

Turkeys

In these birds, the disease is acute and lasts no more than three to four days. In rare cases, it can develop up to ten days. It is worth remembering that there is no cure for this virus and the only way to prevent the disease is to vaccinate the bird at a certain age, to carry out prophylaxis in the form of ultraviolet radiation.

Other birds

The precautions are the same as those listed above. Timely vaccination and compliance with sanitary standards prevent disease and death of birds.

Prevention. What vaccines should I use?

Of the chemicals, it is worth highlighting drugs: phenol, betapropylactone, ethyleneimine. As well as formaldehyde and alcohol. These chemicals have a detrimental effect on the Newcastle virus.

Newcastle virus in humans

It is worth remembering that a person is able to catch this virus.

Infection can occur through direct contact with infected poultry, eating food contaminated with the virus and through contaminated dust.

The incubation period lasts from three to seven days. Newcastle victims are people of working age, whose activities are in one way or another related to poultry farming.

Signs and symptoms

Although this virus does not pose a particular danger to humans, its symptoms are quite unpleasant.

First of all, it is mild conjunctivitis (clouding of the cornea of ​​the eye)

• swelling and redness of the eyelids, mucous or purulent discharge.

Also possible flu-like symptoms:

• temperature increase;
• drowsiness;
• lack of appetite;
• weak general condition;
• nasal congestion and mucous discharge;
• diarrhea (sometimes with blood).

How to protect yourself?

First, it is worth carefully observing sanitary and hygienic standards.... Wash and decontaminate hands as often as possible.

Second, handle foods you eat... Never eat raw or undercooked meat and eggs. All products must be thermally processed.

Third, monitor your health... As soon as you develop symptoms, see your doctor immediately.