NEW CASTLE DISEASE OUTBREAK in Region IIIDR. EDUARDO L. LAPUZ, JR.

Chief Regulatory DivisionDepartment of Agriculture RFO III

I. INTRODUCTION

What is Newcastle Disease (ND)?

Newcastle Disease (ND) is a highly contagious and often severe disease found worldwide that affects birds including domestic poultry. It usually presents as a respiratory disease but depression, nervous manifestation and/or diarrhea can also be observed. Susceptible birds may also be found dead with no prior signs or illness.

The Cause

The disease is caused by a virus in the family Paramyxoviridae.

Hosts

Infection has been demonstrated in at least 241 species from 27 orders of birds. Chickens are the most susceptible species. White leghorn chickens seem to be more susceptible to experimental infection than

white rocks. Turkeys are more resistant than chickens. Waterfowl believed to be quite resistant. A carrier state can exist in psittacine birds. Mortality/morbidity influenced by species, strain of virus, environmental factors and

vaccination practices. Zoonotic – conjunctivitis in humans.

Transmission

Infection may take place by either inhalation or ingestion. The disease is disseminated through movement of live birds, contact with other animals,

movement of people and equipment, movement of poultry products and airborne spread.

Clinical Signs

Sneezing, coughing and gasping for air Nasal discharge Greenish, watery diarrhea Depression, muscular tremors, drooping wings, twisting of the head and neck paralysis Drop in egg production and thin shelled eggs Swelling around eyes and in the neck Sudden death

Prevention and Control

No treatment Biosecurity – proper disposal (birds, manure, feeds, etc.) Cleaning and disinfection – proper disinfectants Proper vaccination – follow manufacturers instruction Quarantine – movement control

II. NEWCASTLE DISEASE OUTBREAK IN REGION III

Newcastle Disease is endemic not only in region III but throughout the Philippines. In recent years, it has occurred on a very limited scale affecting a very negligible number of chicken raised at the backyard level. But in October of 2015 after the onslaught of Typhoon Lando and the effect of Typhoon Nona in December 2015, ND virus spread like a wildfire affecting all the seven provinces of the region.

Mortalities in backyard raisers were observed but were not reported to the Provincial Veterinary Offices (PVOs). It was only January of this year (2016) that a backyard poultry raisers went to the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL) of DA RFO III requesting for ND vaccine because his chickens are dying. Immediately the PVOs were notified and conducted disease investigation and it was confirmed that mortalities in backyard and range chicken as well as game fowls are being experienced in the region.

A. Series of meetings were conducted to map out strategies to control the spread of the disease. - Emergency meeting with the provincial, city and municipal veterinarians on January

21, 2016.- Meetings with the stakeholders both from the public and private sectors

February 16, 2016 February 26, 2016 April 1, 2016 April 26, 2016 (Anti-Rabies and ND vaccination kick off at CLSU)

B. Surveillance and Disease Investigation

Our provincial veterinarians together with our municipal and city veterinarians conducted disease investigation and surveillance in affected areas. Samples were collected for laboratory testing at the RADDL III and at the Animal Disease Diagnostic Reference Laboratory (ADDRL) at Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI). Reported cases from different provinces were as follows:

Province No. of mun/city No. of brgy No. of farmers affected MortalityAurora 5 45 1,353 28,884Bataan 10 64 358 13,542

Bulacan 6 19 65 3,803Pampanga 20 157 3,052 46,023Nueva Ecija 32 800 331 200,000Tarlac 11 30 50 127,452Zambales 13 22 184 13,226TOTAL 97 1,137 5,393 432,930

C. Information and Education Campaign

Information and Education Campaign was conducted in the seven (7) provinces of the region.

- Zambales March 1, 2016- Nueva Ecija March 3, 2016- Tarlac March 4,2016- Bataan March 8, 2016- Bulacan March 10, 2016- Aurora March 11, 2016- Pampanga March 29, 2016

D. Procurement and Distribution of Vaccine

A total of 200,000 doses of ND vaccine was procured by DA RFO III.A total of 920,000 doses was provided by BAI.A total of 850,000 doses was given by the private sectors.All these vaccine doses have already been distributed to the PVOs.

Province Regional purchased BAI Vaccine Private SectorAurora 26,000 - -Bataan 20,000 62,000 50,000Bulacan 15,000 107,000 100,000Nueva Ecija 35,000 - 400,000Pampanga 24,000 300,000 100,000Tarlac 20,000 200,000 200,000Zambales 55,000 60,000 -TOTAL 195,000 729,000 850,000

E. Vaccination

To date the Provincial Veterinary Offices have vaccinated a total of 238,204 birds.

Province Total birds vaccinatedAurora 20,020Bataan 12,069

Bulacan 73,000Nueva Ecija* -Pampanga 8,667Tarlac 115,982Zambales 8,466TOTAL 238,204

*100,000 vaccine given to CLSU, 60,000 to Cabiao & 40,000 to Zaragoza

F. Quarantine

20 Quarantine check points were initially planned to be set up in the region. 120 personnel manning the check points were hired by BAI.

- Aurora 2 checkpoints- Bataan 1- Bulacan 5- Pampanga 1- Nueva Ecija 2- Tarlac 7 - Zambales 2

TOTAL : 20 checkpoints

G. Creation of the Newcastle Disease Regional Quick Response Team

Under the Special Order No. 353 series of 2016, the BAI lead the creation of Regional Quick Response Team (RQRT) for Disease Events and Emergencies.

The BAI, DA RFO III and Central Luzon State University (CLSU) have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to come up with a strategy to vaccinate susceptible animals against ND in the province of Nueva Ecija by mobilizing at least 80 senior veterinary students under the supervision of the Provincial Veterinarian. Kick-off ceremony of the said agreement was done last April 26. The said event was attended by the senior clinicians of College of Veterinary Medicine of the school who will be participating the vaccination. Meeting with the private stakeholders was proceeded after the event.

With all the interventions that were put in place, fortunately the further spread of the disease was controlled as of April 30, 2016. No more significant cases of ND have been reported.