MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chile announces outbreak of Newcastle disease in sea birds

Chile's Agriculture and Livestock Service confirmed the presence of the lethal Newcastle disease in the carcasses of eight sea birds. The discovery occurred 180 miles south of Santiago last June 29 but was only announced Monday.

According to Carlos Bahamondes, head of SAG since the end of June vigilance measures have been intensified in the sea bird population of the area. These measures include sea birds random monitoring and the full implementation of bio security in poultry farms and home grown chickens. Newcastle Disease Virus is a contagious and fatal viral disease affecting most species of birds. Clinical signs are extremely variable depending on the strain of virus, species and age of bird, concurrent disease, and preexisting immunity. Four broad clinical syndromes are recognized by scientists. They are Viscerotropic velogenic, Neurotropic velogenic, Mesogenic, and Lentogenic. NDV is so virulent that many birds die without showing any clinical signs. A death rate of almost 100% can occur in unvaccinated poultry flocks. NDV can infect and cause death even in vaccinated poultry. NDV is spread primarily through direct contact between healthy birds and the bodily discharges of infected birds. The disease is transmitted through infected birds' droppings and secretions from the nose, mouth, and eyes. NDV spreads rapidly among birds kept in confinement, such as commercially raised chickens. There is no known treatment for Newcastle Disease. The last reported cases in Chile date back to 1975. Falkland Islands are free of NDV.