Newcastle disease in Malaysia: diagnostic cases in veterinary research institute (vri) Ipoh from 2004-2009

A study was carried out on the records of Newcastle Disease (ND) in poultry diagnosed from 2004-2009 by the Avian Virology unit of Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) Ipoh. Data of positive cases were compiled and analyzed. It showed that ND occur throughout the year and the pattern of ND is almost consistent for each year except for certain months in year 2004 and 2006. The high incidence of ND in this period may be due to increased avian cases due to the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak in Malaysia. It is suggested that as more samples were received in VRI for surveillance of HPAI during HPAI outbreak, the chances of detecting ND in these samples were increased. Furthermore, the pattern of ND cases received in VRI was not consistent with the reports of M. A. Awan et al. (1994), indicating that the ND epidemics usually occur at times of climatic stress, leading to seasonal occurrence. The great decline of the percentage of ND over the 6 years period suggested that ND is under control. The aim of this study is to understand the prevalence of ND based on cases received in VRI. Therefore further studies on ND in Malaysia could be carried out to understand the actual trend of ND in Malaysia