Outbreak of Newcastle disease in kept pigeons in the city of Chemnitz
Food monitoring and veterinary office recommends vaccinations for pigeons
Last week, Newcastle disease (ND) was officially detected in a carrier pigeon flock in the Markersdorf district. The corresponding virus (pigeon-type avian orthoavulavirus-1) was detected in the National Reference Laboratory (Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut). Newcastle disease, also known as paramyxovirosis, is a notifiable animal disease and is being combated by the authorities. The affected pigeons are in quarantine. The pigeon loft is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
Transmission to humans is rare. They are only possible if there is close contact with diseased animals. The symptoms of the disease in humans are similar to those of mild influenza.
ND occurs in many countries in Central and South America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. However, outbreaks of ND are also repeatedly reported in Europe. Vaccination is mandatory for chickens and turkeys in Germany. The virus is highly contagious for bird species and can infect chickens, quails, geese, wild birds, etc. as well as pigeons.
Depending on the strain of the virus, the infection leads to very severe courses of disease with sudden and very high mortality in the birds. However, very mild courses of the disease are also possible, up to the complete absence of symptoms. Typical signs in pigeons are, for example, diarrhoea and orientation difficulties.
The disease in poultry causes considerable suffering for the individual animal and sometimes high losses in the flock. Regular vaccination of pigeons against the virus has proven to be the only effective control measure against ND.
The Food Monitoring and Veterinary Office of the City of Chemnitz therefore recommends that owners of pigeons have their entire flock vaccinated regularly.