Preventive measures against Newcastle disease virus

The NCD virus exhibits high variability and sometimes causes nonspecific symptoms, which can also be extremely mild in affected flocks. Its incubation period of up to 15 days means that the flock is usually fully infected before the first symptoms become apparent. 

The routes of infection are also diverse and include direct transmission, contact with feed, water lines, barn surfaces, barn dust, bedding, dirt, and the surfaces of equipment and people’s clothing and footwear, including their
hands. Visitors such as veterinarians, technicians, and milkers, as well as all vehicles, cages, and equipment, can also introduce the virus.

There is an effective vaccine, but it does not provide 100% protection, and even asymptomatic herds can produce infectious viruses. This makes them a danger to other herds. Therefore, prevention requires a close combination of vaccination and strict biosecurity measures.