A flock of 40,117 laying hens in Kristianstad, Sweden was recently culled following an outbreak of Newcastle disease virus.
A report on the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) website stated that in late March the flock had been exhibiting signs of decreased egg production and there was a presence of “abnormal” eggs. However, no increase in mortality had been witnessed.
Samples from the birds were tested by the National Veterinary Institute, which confirmed the presence of Newcastle disease.
According to the OIE report, the virus was confirmed in 60 of those hens.
All of the hens in the flock have been euthanized, and the premises has been disinfected. OIE also stated that animal products from the property have been destroyed, and all carcasses, by-products and waste have been properly disposed of.
The cause of the infection is currently being listed as unknown or inconclusive.
A 3-kilometer protection zone and a 10-kilometer surveillance zone have been put in place around the infected farm and all restrictions and other necessary measures according to the European Union’s Commission Delegated Regulation are being applied, OIE stated.
The report described this incident as a recurrence of an eradicated disease. The last time Sweden had a reported outbreak of Newcastle disease virus, according to the OIE, was in October 2021.
The WATT Poultry International Top Companies report did not name any Swedish companies among the top 25 egg producers in the world or the top six egg producers in Europe.
