The presence of Newcastle disease has been detected in a backyard flock in the Zlin Region of the Czech Republic, near the Slovakian border.
The State Veterinary Administration of the Czech Republic reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) on April 15 that the disease had been detected and confirmed in a backyard flock of Gallus gallus. Testing was conducted at the State Veterinary Institute’s national laboratory in Prague.
According to the OIE, 14 of 34 birds in the flock died as a result of contracting Newcastle disease. The remaining 20 birds were destroyed and disposed of.
Control measures included movement control inside the country, zoning, surveillance within the containment and/or protection zone, and screening.
Disinfection procedures are being carried out on the premises.
According to the OIE, this is the first reported case of Newcastle disease in the country. OIE will submit weekly follow-up reports on the Newcastle disease situation in the Czech Republic until it considers the matter to be resolved.
Other recent cases of Newcastle disease
With this case, the Czech Republic joins other countries that have reported Newcastle disease outbreaks to the OIE. In recent months, other cases have been reported in Cyprus, Switzerland, Bulgaria and Sweden. The case in Switzerland affected a flock of 6,000 laying hens in November 2017. All other cases were confirmed in backyard flocks.
