A flock of 7,500 laying hens in Orrevegen, Norway, was euthanized after the presence of Newcastle disease virus was detected in the flock.
According to a report on the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the farm operator had noticed symptoms of egg drop, and while no meaningful increase in mortalities was found, a decrease in egg production prompted the situation to be reported to the Norwegian Food Safety Authority.
Tests were conducted by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, and four hens tested positive. Those tests were confirmed on September 23.
Norwegian authorities reported the outbreak to the WOAH, and this is the first case in the country in since 2003. That case was also confirmed in October.
According to the WOAH report, the flock has been depopulated, the property has been quarantined, and movement control and zoning measures have been implemented. Disposal of carcasses, byproducts and waste is to be conducted, as well as the official destruction of animal products.
It is believed that there were about 194 farms within the restriction zone, but so far, the only premises to have birds test positive is the original infection site.
The cause of the outbreak has not yet been determined.
While it has been nearly two decades since Newcastle disease has been found in Norway, there have been recent cases of it in the bordering country of Sweden. WOAH reported in April that a flock of 40,117 laying hens in Kristianstad, Sweden was culled following an outbreak of Newcastle disease virus. Prior to that, another case of the disease was reported in Sweden in October 2021.
