Peru reports Newcastle disease outbreak

Newcastle disease has been discovered among a small flock of fighting cocks in an urban area in northern Peru.

The veterinary authority sent an Immediate Notification dated May 17 to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). According to the report, 30 birds in a backyard flock of 45 fighting cockerels in the city of Cajamarca died from Newcastle disease last April 19. The remaining birds were destroyed. No other farms or houses with fighting birds are located within a three-kilometre radius area.

The last outbreak of Newcastle disease in Peru was in February 2010.

Paramyxovirus 1 or Newcastle Disease is a highly contagious viral disease affecting poultry of all ages. Affected species include chickens, turkeys, pigeons and ducks. The condition is rarely diagnosed in ducks but is a possible cause of production drops/fertility problems. Other species can also be infected occasionally.