Newcastle disease (ND) - vaccination protocols and strategies of prevention

Newcastle disease (ND), caused by avian paramyxovirus type 1 (APMV‑1), is among the most important diseases in poultry and other bird species, Affected birds can present clinical signs, which range from a mild, almost unnoticed respiratory distress to severe or even highly fatal disease forms. There is no treatment for Newcastle disease – it’s occurrence in commercial poultry is reportable to the World Organisation of Animal Health (OIE), and it impacts international trade in poultry business. Prevention relies on biosecurity procedures and vaccinations. Many countries introduced eradication policies with compulsory slaughter of infected flocks. Due to all these facts, Newcastle disease remains the serious threat to commercial poultry production throughout the world. Currently, there are classification systems of Newcastle disease viruses (NDV), which are mainly related to the clinical signs of the disease. The progress in the development of new vaccines against ND in recent years, may present some difficulties in selecting the best vaccination program. The main aim of this article is to present the current classification and to review the different approaches to ND vaccination methods, with description of all, available worldwide, vaccine types. This knowledge can help the poultry vet to make the best choice for vaccination schedule, accordingly to the local conditions and administrative requirements