April 10, 2013

Israel's Haifa reports Newcastle disease outbreak

An outbreak of Newcastle disease affecting five-week-old meat turkeys at a farm in Haifa was reported by the Israeli veterinary authorities.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) received follow-up report no. one dated April 7. The first outbreak occurred on March 16, and was confirmed on March 19.

Out of a total of 34,000 susceptible turkeys, 3,000 cases were reported. 700 deaths were reported and the remaining 33,000 turkeys were destroyed.

Several control measures such as stamping out, quarantine, movement control inside the country, zoning, no vaccination and no treatment of affected animals have been applied.

Some of the measures that are to be applied include screening, vaccination in response to the outbreak (s) and disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s).

At the Northern Poultry Health Laboratory, haemagglutination inhibition test (HIT), pathogen isolation by egg inoculation and real-time PCR tests were conducted on April 2, confirming the presence of the Newcastle disease virus.