Newcastle disease sample collection - Western Australia

Page last updated: Wednesday, 19 December 2018 - 9:24am

Please note: This content may be out of date and is currently under review.

The sampling method for events meeting the case definition of Newcastle disease are outlined below.

Newcastle disease sampling method

  • Collect choanal (mouth) and cloacal swabs from 10 birds.
  • Roll the swab in the roof of the mouth and back of the throat.
  • Put mouth swabs from five birds into each vial of virus transport medium (VTM).
  • Collect cloacal swabs from the same 10 birds. Insert the swab into the cloaca and roll it against the wall in several places.
  • Put cloacal swabs from five birds into each tube of VTM. Do not put mouth and cloacal swabs in the same tube.
  • Collect two millilitres (2mL) clotted blood samples from each of 15 birds into tubes supplied by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia (DPIRD).
  • Collect five dead birds or a range of tissues in formalin.
  • Label samples with farm name and date.
  • Complete a Newcastle disease surveillance laboratory submission form.
  • Cool all samples and dead birds to 4 degrees Celsius and deliver to DPIRD Animal Health Laboratories as soon as possible with the completed submission form.
How to report suspicions of Newcastle disease or avian influenza

If exotic Newcastle disease or avian influenza are suspected, report immediately to DPIRD, who will attend and investigate. Reports can be made 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

 

Office hours: DPIRD Diagnostic Laboratory Services on +61 (0)8 9368 3351 or your local DPIRD Field Veterinary Officer.

After hours: emergency animal disease toll-free hotline on 1800 675 888.

Newcastle disease case definition - layers and breeders

The case definition of Newcastle disease for layers and breeders is:

  • any shed suffering a 10% drop in egg production or the appearance of 5% unexpected shell colour or 5% shell-less eggs over 2–3 days or
  • mortality of 0.5% per day or more for three or more days in any shed or
  • any nervous or respiratory disease signs.

Newcastle disease case definition - broilers

The case definition of Newcastle disease for broilers is any shed showing:

  • mortality (not including culling) of 0.5% per day or more for three or more days after the first week of placement
  • respiratory signs lasting more than two days
  • nervous signs regardless of the duration.

Contact information

Emily Glass
+61 (0)8 9363 4054