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Western Small Flocks Collaborative

Virulent Newcastle Disease (vND)

Learn more about Virulent Newcastle Disease (vND) on this webpage and the printable factsheet.

vND Factsheet
Silhouette icon of a Infectious Bronchitis virus shape

Quick Facts

Silhouette icon of a Infectious Bronchitis virus shape vND is caused by a virus called avian paramyxovirus type 1
Silhouette icon of a Infectious Laryngotracheitis virus infected chicken Highly contagious and deadly. vND can look very similar to HPAI and testing is require to differentiate them
Silhouette icon of a dark brown dead chicken Highly contagious and often fatal in poultry
Silhouette icon of a dark brown human figure Can rarely infect humans and cause mild flu-like symptoms or conjunctivitis
Silhouette icon of a dark brown iPhone held by a light brown hand If you suspect vND in your flock, contact your veterinarian and state animal health official immediately

What is Newcastle Disease?

Virulent Newcastle Disease (vND) is a fast-spreading and deadly virus that affects chickens, turkeys, gamebirds, and pet birds. The virus attacks the bird’s respiratory, digestive, and nervous systems. Outbreaks can kill most or all birds in a flock within days. The disease spreads quickly through contact with infected birds or droppings, contaminated equipment and clothing, and respiratory droplets in the air. People rarely can get the disease, and typically have mild eye or flu-like symptoms. vND is a reportable disease, contact your state animal health officials immediately if you have sudden deaths in your flock.

Silhouette icon of a brown caution symbol with an exclamation point in the center There is no cure for vND and infected birds will die or need to be euthanized. Report vND or sudden deaths in your flock to your veterinarian and state animal health official immediately.
Example of a chicken with Newcastle disease
Newcastle Disease affects the respiratory, nervous and digestive systems and therefore can display a wide range of symptoms. Diarrhea, neurological signs (nervousness, depression, muscular tremors, drooping wings, twisting of head and neck, circling, and paralysis), acute death, respiratory disease and drop in egg production.

Signs of Newcastle Disease

Birds may die suddenly or show signs such as coughing, gasping for air, twisted necks, walking in circles, watery green droppings, or drop in egg production.

How does Newcastle Disease Spread?

Infected wild birds or poultry shed virus in droppings, body fluids, and respiratory droplets. vND can survive in the environment or on fomites for days to weeks. Contaminated tools, feed, water, clothing, or shoes can spread the virus within a flock or from one flock to another.

Virulent Newcastle disease spreads through contact with wild birds, contaminated equipment or environments, and sick poultry.

How Do You Treat Newcastle Disease?

There is no cure for vND. Once a bird is infected, they are likely to die from the disease. When vND is reported to your state animal health official, they will guide you on next steps and how to follow requirements for vND affected flocks. The USDA animal health website has more information on what occurs during an vND outbreak.

USDA vND Website

How Do You Prevent Newcastle Disease?

Practice Biosecurity

  • Limit contact with birds from other flocks.
  • Wear coop-dedicated shoes to keep out germs.
  • Keep the coop, equipment, and your hands clean.

Keep Wild Birds Out

  • Don’t let your birds commingle with wild birds.
  • Use netting to keep wild birds out and your birds in.
  • Cover feed and water.

Limit Visitors and Shared Tools

  • Require approved visitors to wear clean clothes and boot covers.
  • Minimize sharing tool or equipment.

Separate New Birds

  • Isolate new or returning birds away from your flock for at least 3 weeks and monitor for illness.
  • Germs can spread before birds show signs.

Buy from Clean Sources

  • Know where your birds come from.
  • Do not buy birds from swaps, auctions, or unknown sources.

What if Newcastle Disease is Found in Your Flock?

Report Immediately

  • vND is reportable in all states.
  • If you suspect vND, call your vet and state animal health official immediately.

Wear Protective Gear

  • Wear gloves, a mask, and clean clothes when handling birds.
  • Do not handle sick or dead birds if you are immunocompromised.

Clean and Disinfect

  • Scrub boots, tools, and bird areas with disinfectant.
  • Wait for guidance before returning birds to the space.

Stop Movement

  • Don’t move birds, eggs, or equipment on or off your property, and avoid visiting other farms to prevent spreading disease.

Disease Control Steps

  • Controlling the virus may require depopulation.
  • Work with state animal health official to clean, review biosecurity, and prevent future outbreaks.