Seroprevalence of Newcastle Disease in Different Bird Species in Live Bird Markets, Zoos, and Bird Parks in Iran, 2016

Serological survey of NDV infection from LBMs would give a good picture of Newcastle disease ecology in a country.

This cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate the seroprevalence of Newcastle disease in live bird markets, bird parks, and zoos in Iran.

From July to December 2016, blood samples were collected from different bird species in each unit. The serum samples were evaluated via Hemagglutination inhibition test. The seropositive sample was considered a serum with antibody titer 4 or more (1.16) in HI, and units with at least one seropositive bird were considered as the contaminated unit. In this study, the serum samples were taken from various bird species (N=2292) selected from 127 bird markets, bird parks, and zoos distributed in 22 Iranian provinces.

Among the 127 sampled units, 70 (55.12 %) were found to be seropositive. In addition, among the 2292 sampled birds, the number of seropositive birds were found to be 495. Among different bird species, the highest sero-positive prevalence belonged to chickens and turkeys with 38.7 % and 32.89 %, respectively.

The results of this study suggested a high prevalence of Newcastle disease in the live bird markets, bird parks, and consequently, across our country. Given the importance of this infectious disease, it is essential to apply appropriate controlling measures, including continuous surveillances of circulating viruses and vaccination programs with conventional vaccines, such as heat-resistant vaccines. On account of the important role of rural poultry and wild birds in Newcastle disease distribution, controlling the disease in rural poultry and continuous surveillance in both can prevent the spread of NDV, particularly to the commercial poultry.