What is Newcastle disease?

• Outbreaks of Newcastle disease (ND) have been reported in many European countries since January 2026.

• According to the World Organisation of Animal Health (WOAH), the countries that reported outbreaks include Spain, Poland, Germany, Czechia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

• The recent outbreak in Germany marks the first instance of the disease in the country since 2008.

• Nonetheless, this occurred close to other outbreaks occurring in Poland, and strict control measures were rapidly put in place. 

• It remains to be seen whether the disease will remain localised to areas close to current outbreaks, or whether it will continue to spread westwards throughout Germany.

What is Newcastle disease?

• Newcastle disease (ND) is a disease of major importance for poultry and other birds. 

• It is caused by specified viruses of the avian paramyxovirus type (APMV-I) of the family Paramyxoviridae.

The disease appears in three forms: 

i) lentogenic or mild

ii) mesogenic or moderate

iii) velogenic or very virulent. 

• Newcastle disease, in its highly pathogenic form, is listed in the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and must be reported. 

• It can present a clinical picture very similar to avian influenza, so laboratory testing is important to confirm the diagnosis.

• The disease is characterised by respiratory and/or nervous signs, partial or complete cessation of egg production or misshapen eggs, greenish watery diarrhoea and oedema of the tissues around the eyes and the neck.

• Newcastle disease is transmitted most often by direct contact with diseased or carrier birds. 

• Infected birds may shed the virus in their faeces, contaminating the environment. 

• Transmission can then occur by direct contact with feces and respiratory discharges or by contaminated food, water, equipment, and human clothing. 

• Newcastle disease viruses can survive for several weeks in the environment, especially in cool weather.

• Newcastle disease is a minor zoonosis (disease of animals that can also infect humans) and can cause conjunctivitis in humans, but the condition is generally very mild and self limiting.