October 30, 2003

Poultry Virus Newcastle Disease Detected in Northern Sweden
 

The highly contagious poultry virus Newcastle Disease has been found at a poultry farm in northern Sweden.

All birds, including 40 doves, 30 turkeys, 10 hens and one rooster, have been put down and the originated farm has been quarantined, according to Swedish agricultural authorities.

"This was not a farm that held any commercial production. We believe they were contaminated by wild birds but are not sure since they have since flown away," Robert ter Horst, head of the Board of Agriculture's disease control unit said.

This was the first case of the disease in Sweden since 2001. A number of outbreaks were recorded between 1995 and 1997. Although humans working with infected live birds can catch mild conjunctivitis, the disease would not spread through consumption of meat.