Newcastle Disease Management Plan

Newcastle disease in Australia

Australia's first cases of virulent Newcastle Disease (ND) virus occurred in 1930 and 1932 and were eradicated according to a slaughter out policy.

In 1966 an avirulent strain was identified. Evidence suggests that this strain and other avirulent strains have since spread through the poultry industry in all States. During the 1990s strains emerged that were associated with mild disease and some were found to have gene sequences that were close to those that occur in virulent ND viruses.

In September 1998, a virulent ND virus emerged on a mixed layer and broiler farm at Deans Park, Western Sydney. Genetic sequencing showed that this virus had originated from an endemic, avirulent ND virus of Australian origin, and was genetically different from ND viruses that occur overseas.

In April 1999, a further outbreak of ND occurred at Mangrove Mountain on the NSW Central Coast. In early 2000, further cases occurred in Western Sydney and Tamworth, NSW. The Tamworth property was depopulated and a national survey was undertaken to help define the distribution and types of ND viruses circulating in Australia before taking response action on the properties in Western Sydney.

The national survey for ND virus distribution was completed in late 2000. The survey sampling strategy was designed to ensure coverage of all sectors of the Australian commercial poultry industry. No isolates of virulent ND virus were detected; no isolates with gene sequences related to the virus outbreaks in NSW were detected; and all viruses detected were avirulent strains genetically distinct from virulent ND virus. In early 2001 birds on five remaining properties in Western Sydney from which virulent ND virus had been isolated were destroyed. Australia met international standards for freedom from virulent ND virus in October 2001.

There were no further outbreaks of virulent ND in Australia until incidents were confirmed on a single property at Meredith, Victoria on 13 May 2002 and on a property at Horsley Park, NSW on 25 October 2002. In both instances disease eradication processes prescribed in AUSVETPLAN were applied.

National response to Newcastle disease

The ratification of the Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement in March 2002 meant that, for the first time, industry were involved in the decision making process during the response to the Victorian outbreak. The Agreement provides for industry representation on the incident National Management Group (NMG), a high level committee responsible for approving the response plan and all expenditure relating to the response and recovery from an EAD outbreak, and on the Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases (CCEAD), the committee of technical experts advising NMG on responses to disease outbreaks.

An NMG meeting on 13 May 2002 requested that Animal Health Australia coordinate an immediate review of Australia's policy for the management of ND by 14 June 2002. The review included active monitoring and surveillance and compulsory vaccination in designated risk areas. The review was conducted using an expert working group and a national workshop of key stakeholders to develop and agree on the technical and policy issues relating to a national integrated management plan.

The National Newcastle Disease Management Plan 2002/03 to 2003/04 was developed and the National Newcastle Disease Steering Committee formed.

The Plan followed a risk management approach and was developed to address the goals for the long-term control of ND agreed by industry and government stakeholders:

Minimise the risk of ND outbreaks from virulent viruses of Australian-origin

Protect the status of non-infected flocks and regions

Reduce the social, economic and trade impacts of ND at farm, regional and national levels.

A national approach to ND management is necessary to reduce the risk of circulating precursor ND viruses mutating into virulent forms resulting in clinical disease. Vaccination of high-risk areas is a key strategy.

An updated National Newcastle Disease Management Plan 2005/07 has been endorsed by the National Newcastle Disease Steering Committee and Animal Health Committee. The Plan includes the following outcomes:

Review of costs and funding

Assessment of compliance with vaccination requirements

Review of vaccination SOPs

Progress with implementation of Biosecurity Plans

Revision of AUSVETPLAN Newcastle Disease response strategy manual

Review of Newcastle disease surveillance

Improved biosecurity and awareness

Use the links below to download Newcastle Disease Vaccination SOPs or the National Newcastle Disease Management Plan.

Newcastle disease in Australia

National response to Newcastle disease

Further Information