With thirty days that have elapsed following no new outbreaks, Spain has declared the country free of Newcastle disease (ND).

A follow-up report dated March 23 has been sent to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) by the veterinary authorities.

According to the report, one month after the procedures of cleaning and disinfecting the affected farm were completed, restriction measures applied in the farms located in the surveillance and protection zone were officially lifted on January 23. No new outbreaks of Newcastle disease have been detected to date.

One of the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Codes states that if Newcastle disease virus infection has occurred in poultry, a previously free country or zone can regain its free status three months after a stamping-out policy (including disinfection of all affected establishments) is applied, providing that surveillance has been conducted during this period.

Spain, having fulfilled the criteria, regains its free status from notifiable Newcastle disease as from March 23, 2010.