Ranikhet Disease:
Suspected highly virulent Ranikhet disease is said to have caused the death of nearly 1.5 lakh chickens in Eluru, Guntur, Prakasam, and the twin Godavari districts in Andhra Pradesh recently.It is a highly contagious viral disease that affects birds, particularly poultry such as chickens, turkeys, and ducks.
- It is caused by infections with virulent Avian avulavirus 1 (AAvV-1), commonly known as Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and designated as avian paramyxovirus-1 (APMV-1).
- It attacks the respiratory, nervous and digestive systems of birds.
- It causes production drops/fertility problems.
- Morbidity is usually high, and mortality varies from 50 to 100 percent.
- It is a minor zoonosis (disease of animals that can also infect humans) and can cause conjunctivitis in humans, but the condition is generally very mild and self-limiting.
- Transmission:
- Direct contact with secretions, especially faeces, from infected birds
- Contaminated feed, water, implements, premises, human clothing, etc.
- Newcastle disease viruses can survive for several weeks in the environment, especially in cool weather.
- Symptoms:
- The symptoms vary according to the age of the affected birds.
- The first symptoms usually observed in young birds are sneezing, gasping, and often droopiness.
- It is in this stage of the disease that the manifestations rather closely resemble those of infections bronchitis.
- Within a short time after the appearance of respiratory symptoms, deaths occur in a flock in quick succession and in increasing numbers from day to day.
- Treatment:
- At present there is no effective treatment.
- Proper housing and general good care are indicated in an effort to shorten the duration and severity of the infection.
