Newcastle disease - a dangerous viral disease

Newcastle disease is a viral disease of birds. First of all, this refers to the family of chicken. The disease can be transmitted to a person.

Causes of pathology

The causative agent of the disease is the virus. It occurs in four different variants (strains). They differ among themselves in severity of pathology, its nature and pathogenicity.

The virus that causes Newcastle disease is referred to a fairly large family of the most harmful and "predatory" parasites. Among them - plague pathogens in carnivores and in cattle, diseases of cats and parainfluenza in animals. They are the cause of disease in humans.

The virus that causes Newcastle disease is larger than its counterparts in size. In this case, it has the shape of an oval. It contains ribonucleic acid, and the device of this virus is very difficult. This causative agent is quite resistant to environmental factors and can be transferred to long distances, causing outbreaks of the disease. This is confirmed by many facts. For example, in frozen bird carcasses, it can remain viable for up to six months.

Newcastle disease in animals

Pathology is the most dangerous disease of birds. It is distributed throughout the world. It is also familiar in Russia. The source of the causative agent of pathology is a sick bird. The main way in which the virus is transmitted is respiratory, that is, through the respiratory tract. Two days after infection, the sick bird excretes the causative agent along with the exhaled air. Factors for the transmission of pathology can serve as feed and water, tools and eggshells that are infected with a sick bird.

Newcastle disease in chickens is most common. Partridge, pheasants, and turkey are less susceptible to pathology. But the virus can also hit a wild bird, including sparrows and pigeons.

Danger to people

There are human viral diseases that are transmitted to him from the affected animals. Newcastle disease is one of such pathologies. Infection of people occurs through the dust they inhale, which is contaminated with the virus. The pathogen can be introduced through the conjunctiva of the eyes, larynx and digestive system. Fortunately, the natural susceptibility of a person to this virus is low.

Pathology is sporadic in nature. It affects people of working age, whose activities are directly related to poultry farming. The incubation period lasts for three to seven days. The course of the pathology is accompanied by a slight increase in temperature and has symptoms of a cold. The disease is often accompanied by conjunctivitis. It's harder for his children. Often they have cases of brain damage.

Measures of preventive measures to prevent the disease or to prevent its further spread is the implementation of rules of sanitary and hygienic nature for the care of birds. Unfortunately, for today the therapy of the disease is not made due to the lack of medications. Measures of immunoprophylaxis have not been developed either.