Newcastle disease has been confirmed in small poultry flock in El Progreso, Cárdenas, Nicaragua, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
In response to the immediate notification of Newcastle disease sent by Costa Rica to the OIE and concerning the province of Guanacaste, the epidemiological surveillance service of the Institute for Animal Health and Protection (IPSA) initiated an epidemiological monitoring in border regions in the south of the country in the municipalities of Cárdenas and San Juan del Sur.
Sick poultry was found in El Progreso, with birds showing signs consistent with Newcastle disease. In this situation, movement control of poultry was implemented in the affected zone, OIE reported. On April 29, samples were taken and immediately sent to the IPSA National Veterinary Diagnosis Laboratory. The Newcastle disease diagnosis was confirmed and the susceptible population in the outbreak zone was culled.
Six birds in the flock had died as a result of contracting Newcastle disease.
Newcastle vaccination effort launched
On May 5, the Direction for Animal Health launched a vaccination campaign against the disease in 33 border communities in the municipalities of Cárdenas and San Juan del Sur. An estimated 12,975 poultry birds from 811 owners were vaccinated. Also, 33 talks were given to 812 poultry owners in both municipalities, the OIE reported. Currently, epidemiological surveillance continues in all affected communities in the affected municipality and the zone around the outbreak. Epidemiological surveillance staff members continue to monitor the zone.
According to the OIE, this is the country’s first confirmed case of Newcastle disease since February 2013.
