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Pathogen Safety Data Sheet - Newcastle Disease

Section I: Disease / Infectious Agent

Synonym / Cross Reference

ND, Paramyxovirus 1, pseudoplague of fowl, pseudo-fowl pest, Avian parainfluenza virus 1 ⁽¹⁾, Avian Pneumoencephalitis ⁽²⁾

Etiology / Taxonomy ^{(2, 3)}

Family: Paramyxoviridae
Genus: Paramyxovirus ⁽²⁾
Serotype group: Avian Paramyxovirus type 1 (APMV-1)
There are 9 serotypes designated (APMV-1 to APMV-9) with minor antigenic relationship to other serogroups

Organism Characteristics

Medium sized, single-stranded enveloped RNA virus ⁽⁴⁾
Mutations occur more easily for the single-stranded nucleic acid genome; mutations at the F0 cleavage site enable Newcastle Disease virus to become velogenic ⁽⁵⁾
The many Newcastle Disease virus strains vary widely in virulence and in the tissues affected ⁽⁵⁾
Virus strains are classified on the basis of the speed with which they kill chickens or chicken embryos under defined conditions and/or the RNA sequence of the cleavage site of the F0 gene ⁽⁵⁾
Virulence is determined by the sequence of the six terminal amino acids at the site where the precursor F0 protein is cleaved to form the F1 and F2 proteins of an infectious virus particle ⁽⁵⁾

Surveillance

Newcastle disease is a reportable disease in Canada. Animal owners, veterinarians and laboratories are required to immediately report the presence of an animal that is infected or suspected of being infected to a Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) district veterinarian. Control or eradication measures will be applied immediately. For more information, please see the Health of Animals Act.

The OIE defines Newcastle disease for reporting purposes as follows:
Newcastle disease is defined as the infection of birds caused by a virus of avian paramyxovirus serotype 1 (APMV-1) that meets one of the following criteria:

The virus has an intracerebral pathogenicity index (ICPI) in day-old chicks (Gallus gallus) of 0.7 or greater;
Multiple basic amino acids have been demonstrated in the virus (either directly or by deduction) at the C-terminus of the F2 (fusion) protein and phenylalanine at residue 117, which is the NH2-terminus of the F1 protein. Failure to demonstrate the characteristic pattern of amino acid residues as described above would require characterization of the isolated virus by an ICPI test.

Distribution

The status of Newcastle disease in Canada is indigenous:

First observed on the Indonesian island of Java in 1926, later that year spread to Newcastle, United Kingdom ⁽⁵⁾
Strains are present in most countries, and is endemic in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Central and South America ^(3,
5)
Canada and the United States have seen high mortality in wild cormorants caused by Exotic Newcastle disease (END) ⁽⁵⁾

Section II: Animal Health Hazard and Epidemiology

Clinical Disease / Pathogenesis ^{(2, 3, 5, 6,
7)}

Given the highly variable nature and high incidence of Newcastle disease in chickens, as well as in wild and exotic bird species, the following points should help to clarify the definition of this disease:

In chickens, Newcastle disease in its least pathogenic form (the lentogenic pathotype) causes little or no clinical signs (very mild respiratory signs only) and is seldom lethal
In young chickens, Newcastle disease associated with moderately pathogenic (or mesogenic) strains is characterized by the presence of respiratory signs, along with nervous signs that appear concomitantly or later, as the disease progresses, as well as a high mortality rate. In adult birds, this form of the disease induces a significant reduction in egg production, but few clinical signs and little or no mortality
In chickens, the most pathogenic (or velogenic) form of Newcastle disease is usually characterized by severe respiratory signs, diarrhea, and paralysis followed by death in 24 to 48 hours
Death rates may continue for 7 to 10 days
In wild or exotic birds, Newcastle disease is frequently undetectable. Clinical signs, if present, may include respiratory problems, diarrhea, followed by the development of nervous signs. Sudden death is frequently the first and only indication that the disease is present
Chickens are the most susceptible poultry species; ducks and geese are least susceptible
Psittacine and pigeons show neurological signs with the viscerotropic strain
Finches and canaries may be totally asymptomatic
Vaccinated birds only show mild clinical signs

Clinical signs:
Very variable, influenced greatly by the virulence and tissue tropism of the virus
- Sudden drop in egg production, accompanied by production of abnormal eggs
- Loss of appetite, fever, weakness
- Swelling and cyanosis of the comb and wattles
- Respiratory signs; increased respiratory rate, respiratory distress, coughing, high-pitched sneeze ('snick')
- Nervous signs
- Wing droop, ataxia, dyspnea
Clinical signs of Newcastle disease have been broadly classified into four syndromes, based on the disease in:

Domestic chickens:
Velogenic:
- Viscerotropic velogenic:
  - High mortality; hemorrhagic enteritis is predominant lesion
  - Edema and hemorrhages of the head, especially around the eyes
  - Dark-green watery diarrhea
  - Respiratory and neurological signs, although not as severe as with the neurotropic form
- Neurotropic velogenic:
  - High mortality; respiratory and nervous signs predominate
  - Respiratory signs of gasping and coughing
  - Neurological signs including muscle tremors, drooping wings, dragging legs, twisting of the head and neck, circling, depression, inappetence, complete paralysis
  - Generally no diarrhea
Mesogenic:
- Low mortality; respiratory signs predominate
- Sudden exhaustion and anorexia
- Egg production stops almost completely
Lentogenic:
- Mild, predominantly respiratory disease or subclinical infection
- Decreased egg production
Avirulent:
- Subclinical
Humans:
- Headache and flu-like symptoms
- Develop conjunctivitis with congestion, lacrimation, pain and swelling of the conjunctival tissues, usually mild and persists for 1-2 days
- Occasionally can become severe and lead to some lasting impairment of vision
- Preauricular lymph glands are often affected
Infectious dose: Unknown
Incubation period: ^{(3, 5, 8)}
- Can vary from 2-15 days depending on the virulence of the strain
- Chickens with the velogenic form, 2-6 days is common
- Human incubation period is reported to be 6-7 days

Source / Mode of Transmission / Communicability ^{(2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9)}

Transmission can occur by direct or indirect inhalation or ingestion. The virus is excreted in feces and in respiratory secretions
Contaminated feed, water, fomites, premises, human clothing, vehicles, can be source for infection and subsequently transmission of the disease
All parts of the carcass are a source of the virus
Eggs surfaces from infected chickens may constitute a source of infection
Virus is shed in feces and respiratory aerosols during the incubation period and for a short time during recovery
Psittacine species can shed the virus intermittently for one year or more following recovery from clinical disease
Migratory birds only play a minor role in disease dissemination
Under certain conditions, the virus can be wind-borne
Virus shed during incubation period and limited time during convalescence

Vectors ⁽⁵⁾

Any animals, including flying insects, that travel between infected and susceptible birds can spread the virus by mechanical means, although this form of transmission is a low priority

Host Range ^{(3, 5, 8)}

Most avian species, domestic and wild
Chickens and turkeys are the most susceptible poultry, ducks and geese are the least
Humans

Zoonotic Potential

Newcastle disease can be transmitted to humans ^{(1, 3, 5)}
Transmission from animals to humans occurs via aerosols from poultry or from workers rubbing their eyes with hands contaminated from contact with birds or the virus ⁽¹⁾
Disease in humans is limited to conjunctivitis, the virus is present from 4-7 days in lacrimal fluid ^(2,
7)
It is suspected that human to human transmission may occur, however has not been reported ^{(5, 9)}

Reservoir

Ducks and geese can be reservoirs of virus as they often do not exhibit clinical signs ⁽⁵⁾
Tropical parrots form a reservoir of virulent Newcastle disease virus ⁽⁵⁾
Inapparent infections and carrier states can occur in some wild bird populations ⁽³⁾

Section III: Diagnosis

Necropsy / Histopathology Findings ⁽⁵⁾

Necropsy: No specific diagnostic post mortem lesions, peracute form may not exhibit any gross lesions
Viscerotropic form:

Edema of interstitial tissues of the neck, especially near the thorax may be marked
Hemorrhages occur in trachea, proventriculus, gizzard, Peyer's patches, caecal tonsils, and other aggregations of lymphoid tissue in the intestinal wall
Lesions in the gastrointestinal tract progressively become edematous, hemorrhagic, necrotic and finally ulcerative
Petechial hemorrhages on breast muscle, heart muscle and peritoneal adipose tissue and on serosal surfaces
Ovaries are edematous, hemorrhagic or degenerated
Yolk sac peritonitis is a frequent finding in layer birds, a rough shell or misshapen eggs are sequella to recovery

Neurotropic form:

Severe hemorrhagic inflammation of the trachea, although rare to see free blood in the lumen
Hemorrhagic lesions in the proventriculus, but rarely in the rest of the alimentary tract
Gross lesions may not be present in birds presenting with only nervous signs

Histopathology:

Brain lesions are of value in diagnosis
Neuronal degradation, gliosis, perivascular lymphocytic infiltration
Characteristically there is hyperplasia of vascular endothelium
Necrosis of the endothelial lining of blood vessels, thrombosis, edema and hemorrhages may be seen in all organs
Pronounced edema and cellular infiltrations of submucosa of nasal tract and trachea, and of lungs and air sacs

Laboratory Diagnosis ^{(6, 10)}

Identification of the agent:

Virus isolation (characterization from tracheal and cloacal swabs, or embryonated eggs)

Serological tests:

Haemagglutination inhibition tests (although not useful in diagnosing the virulence)
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Drug Susceptibility ⁽⁵⁾

None
Naturally occurring live and inactivated killed vaccine can provide short-lived immunity, approximately 10-12 weeks

Differential Diagnosis ^{(3, 5,
8)}

The following diseases may show clinical similarity to Newcastle disease:

Fowl cholera
Avian influenza
Laryngotracheitis
Fowl pox (diphtheritic form)
Psittacosis (psittacine birds)
Mycoplasmosis
Infectious bronchitis
Pacheco's parrot disease (psittacine birds)
Acute pasteurellosis
Salmonellosis
Botulism
Marek's disease
Egg-drop syndrome
Toxicoses
Mismanagement factors; deprivation of water, air, feed

Section IV: Decontamination Procedures

Select a registered disinfectant with a drug identification number (DIN). Use according to label directions for concentration and contact time. Consider organic load and temperature. It is recommended that laboratories evaluate the effectiveness of the disinfectant using a validated method (e.g. Quantitative Carrier Test). See table 1 to help select a registered disinfectant for use against APMV-1.

Table 1: Active ingredients considered to be effective against APMV-1.
Active Ingredient	Concentration	Contact Time
Soaps and detergents: Solids or liquids	As appropriate	10 minutes ⁽⁹⁾
Oxidising agents: Sodium hypochlorite Calcium hypochlorite	2-3% (20, 000-30, 000 ppm)	10-30 minutes ⁽⁹⁾
Alkalis: Sodium hydroxide Sodium carbonate anhydrous crystals	2% (w/v) 4% (w/v) 10% (w/v)	10 minutes ⁽⁹⁾ 10 minutes ⁽⁹⁾ 30 minutes ⁽⁹⁾
Acids: Hydrochloric acid Citric acid	2% (v/v) 0.2% (w/v)	10 minutes ⁽⁹⁾ 30 minutes ⁽⁹⁾
Aldehydes: Glutaraldehyde Formalin	2% (w/v) 8% (v/v)	10-30 minutes ⁽⁹⁾

Physical Inactivation

Direct sunlight inactivates virus in 30 minutes ^{(5, 11)}
Inactivated by 56°C for 3 hours and 60°C for 30 minutes ⁽⁸⁾
Ether sensitive ⁽⁸⁾
Inactivated by acid pH ⁽⁸⁾

Survival Outside of Host ^{(5, 9,
11)}

Virus is stable in non-putrefying tissue and organ samples or feces if not exposed to high temperatures
Virus remains infectious in bone marrow and muscles of slaughtered chickens for at least six months at -20°C and up to four months at refrigerator temperatures
Can survive from 4-6 months on feathers, and contaminated premises
Virus can survive in water for periods ranging from 32 hours to 19 days, depending on temperature
Virus can survive on fomites, human clothing, shoes, etc.
Eggs laid in early disease phase have Newcastle disease virus on the outer shell surface and possibly inside the egg as well

Section V: Laboratory Hazards for Humans

Laboratory-acquired Infections

Infections have occurred among laboratory workers who handle the virus in research, or vaccine production laboratories ⁽⁵⁾
A case of laboratory acquired infection in Malaysia was reported. Infection was acquired by droplet infection of the eye while grinding infected chickens in the laboratory. The case was confirmed by haemagglutination inhibition ⁽¹²⁾

Biosafety Precautions ⁽¹⁾

Laboratory workers should take precautions to prevent the formation of aerosols and avoid contaminating their eyes with their hands
Vaccinators should use masks to protect themselves against ocular or respiratory exposure

Section VI: Physical and Operational Requirements

Containment Requirements

All physical containment and operational practices for containment level 3, as per the Containment Standards for Veterinary Facilities must be met.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Laboratory:

Primary layer of protective clothing should include dedicated laboratory clothing (e.g. scrubs and headwear) and laboratory dedicated footwear.
Secondary layer of protective clothing (e.g. solid-front gowns with tight-fitting wrists, 2 pairs of gloves) should be worn over laboratory clothing when directly handling infectious materials.
Adequate respiratory protection should be worn when directly handling infectious material outside Biological Safety Cabinet.
When full body protective clothing is not worn a shower is required on exit; where a known or suspected aerosol exposure has occurred a shower is required on exit.

Post Mortem:

Primary layer of protective clothing should include dedicated laboratory clothing (e.g. scrubs and headwear) and laboratory dedicated footwear.
Secondary layer of protective clothing (e.g. solid-front gowns with tight-fitting wrists, 2 pairs of gloves) should be worn over laboratory clothing when directly handling infectious materials.
Cut resistant gloves, adequate respiratory protection, steel toed/steel shanked rubber boots.
Adequate respiratory protection should be worn when directly handling infectious material outside Biological Safety Cabinet.
When full body protective clothing is not worn a shower is required on exit; where a known or suspected aerosol exposure has occurred a shower is required on exit.

Handling Information

Spills in laboratory:

Spill protocol must be in place and include the following scenarios:

Spills inside the biological safety cabinet.
Spills outside the biological safety cabinet.
Spills while performing aerosol generating procedures.
Also consider entry and exit procedure modifications if necessary, appropriate PPE, disinfection of spill and surroundings including contact time, flow (pattern) of the clean up and disposal of contaminated materials.

Refer to Table 1 for disinfectant selection.

Storage

All cultures and infected material should be stored in leakproof, sealed containers that are accurately labeled and clearly identified as a "biohazard risk". The access to infectious material should be controlled at all times. Records must be kept to describe the use, inventory and disposal of infectious material.

Disposal

Decontaminate all infectious material prior to disposal. Use steam sterilization, incineration or chemical disinfection.

References

Acha, PD and Szyfres, B. Zoonoses and Communicable Diseases Common to Man and Animals. Third Edition. Volume II. Chlamydioses, Rickettsioses, and Viroses. Scientific and Technical Publication Number 580. Pan American Health Organization. 2003. Pages 218-25.
Hughes-Jones, M E, Allan, WH, Dark, FA, Harper, GJ. 1973. The evidence for airborne spread of Newcastle disease. Journal of Hygiene, Cambridge, 71:325-339.
The Center for Food Security and Public Health. Newcastle Disease Fact Sheet - PDF (124 kb). August 29, 2005.
Murray PR, Baron EJ, Pfaller MA, Tenover FC, and Yolken RH. Manual of Clinical Microbiology. Seventh Edition. American Society for Microbiology. 1999. Pages 836.
Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan. 1996. Disease Strategy, Newcastle Disease - PDF (468 kb).
Martine Boulianne. Velogenic Newcastle Disease. CFIA-FAD (Dry) Course. November 14-18, 2005.
Coetzer, JA, Tustin, RC. Infectious Diseases of Livestock. Second Edition. 2004, Pages 687-691.
World Organization for Animal Health, OIE. Animal diseases data, Newcastle Disease, updated 22/04/2002.
Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan. Operational Procedures Manual: Decontamination. 2000. Page 32 and 50-1.
World Organisation for Animal Health, OIE. Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals, Newcastle Disease, updated 23/07/2004.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Exotic Newcastle Disease. January 2003.
Mustaffa-Babjee A, Ibrahim AL, Khim TS. A case of human infection with Newcastle disease virus. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health. 1976; 7(4): 622-4.

Disclaimer: Although the information and recommendations in this Pathogen Safety Data Sheet are compiled from reliable sources, there is no guarantee, warranty or any assurance that the information and recommendations are correct, accurate, sufficient, reliable or current and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency shall not be responsible for any loss or damage resulting from or in connection with the use of or reliance upon the information and recommendations.

The user assumes all risks and responsibility for and shall be liable for the use of and any reliance on the information and recommendations and the results thereof and any loss or damage resulting therefrom.

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