A Newcastle disease outbreak occurred in Region III of the Philippines in early 2016 following typhoons in late 2015. Over 400,000 backyard chickens died as the highly contagious virus spread across the 7 provinces. In response, meetings were held with stakeholders, surveillance increased, an education campaign launched, over 1 million vaccine doses distributed and administered to 238,204 birds, quarantine checkpoints established, and a regional response team created through collaboration between the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Industry, and Central Luzon State University. Coordinated control efforts successfully contained the outbreak by the end of April 2016 with no further significant cases reported.

1. NEW CASTLE DISEASE OUTBREAK in Region III
DR. EDUARDO L. LAPUZ, JR.
Chief Regulatory Division
Department of Agriculture RFO III
I. INTRODUCTION
What is Newcastle Disease (ND)?
Newcastle Disease (ND) is a highly contagious and often severe disease found worldwide that
affects birds including domestic poultry. It usually presents as a respiratory disease but
depression, nervous manifestation and/or diarrhea can also be observed. Susceptible birds may
also be found dead with no prior signs or illness.
The Cause
The disease is caused by a virus in the family Paramyxoviridae.
Hosts
• Infection has been demonstrated in at least 241 species from 27 orders of birds.
• Chickens are the most susceptible species.
• White leghorn chickens seem to be more susceptible to experimental infection than
white rocks.
• Turkeys are more resistant than chickens.
• Waterfowl believed to be quite resistant.
• A carrier state can exist in psittacine birds.
• Mortality/morbidity influenced by species, strain of virus, environmental factors and
vaccination practices.
• Zoonotic – conjunctivitis in humans.
Transmission
• Infection may take place by either inhalation or ingestion.
• The disease is disseminated through movement of live birds, contact with other animals,
movement of people and equipment, movement of poultry products and airborne spread.
Clinical Signs
• Sneezing, coughing and gasping for air
• Nasal discharge
• Greenish, watery diarrhea
• Depression, muscular tremors, drooping wings, twisting of the head and neck paralysis
• Drop in egg production and thin shelled eggs
• Swelling around eyes and in the neck

2. • Sudden death
Prevention and Control
• No treatment
• Biosecurity – proper disposal (birds, manure, feeds, etc.)
• Cleaning and disinfection – proper disinfectants
• Proper vaccination – follow manufacturers instruction
• Quarantine – movement control
II. NEWCASTLE DISEASE OUTBREAK IN REGION III
Newcastle Disease is endemic not only in region III but throughout the Philippines. In recent
years, it has occurred on a very limited scale affecting a very negligible number of chicken
raised at the backyard level. But in October of 2015 after the onslaught of Typhoon Lando and
the effect of Typhoon Nona in December 2015, ND virus spread like a wildfire affecting all the
seven provinces of the region.
Mortalities in backyard raisers were observed but were not reported to the Provincial Veterinary
Offices (PVOs). It was only January of this year (2016) that a backyard poultry raisers went to
the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL) of DA RFO III requesting for ND
vaccine because his chickens are dying. Immediately the PVOs were notified and conducted
disease investigation and it was confirmed that mortalities in backyard and range chicken as
well as game fowls are being experienced in the region.
A. Series of meetings were conducted to map out strategies to control the spread of the
disease.
- Emergency meeting with the provincial, city and municipal veterinarians on January
21, 2016.
- Meetings with the stakeholders both from the public and private sectors
• February 16, 2016
• February 26, 2016
• April 1, 2016
• April 26, 2016 (Anti-Rabies and ND vaccination kick off at CLSU)
B. Surveillance and Disease Investigation
Our provincial veterinarians together with our municipal and city veterinarians conducted
disease investigation and surveillance in affected areas. Samples were collected for
laboratory testing at the RADDL III and at the Animal Disease Diagnostic Reference
Laboratory (ADDRL) at Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI). Reported cases from different
provinces were as follows:

3. Province No. of mun/city No. of brgy No. of farmers affected Mortality
Aurora 5 45 1,353 28,884
Bataan 10 64 358 13,542
Bulacan 6 19 65 3,803
Pampanga 20 157 3,052 46,023
Nueva Ecija 32 800 331 200,000
Tarlac 11 30 50 127,452
Zambales 13 22 184 13,226
TOTAL 97 1,137 5,393 432,930
C. Information and Education Campaign
Information and Education Campaign was conducted in the seven (7) provinces of the
region.
- Zambales March 1, 2016
- Nueva Ecija March 3, 2016
- Tarlac March 4,2016
- Bataan March 8, 2016
- Bulacan March 10, 2016
- Aurora March 11, 2016
- Pampanga March 29, 2016
D. Procurement and Distribution of Vaccine
A total of 200,000 doses of ND vaccine was procured by DA RFO III.
A total of 920,000 doses was provided by BAI.
A total of 850,000 doses was given by the private sectors.
All these vaccine doses have already been distributed to the PVOs.
Province Regional purchased BAI Vaccine Private Sector
Aurora 26,000 - -
Bataan 20,000 62,000 50,000
Bulacan 15,000 107,000 100,000
Nueva Ecija 35,000 - 400,000
Pampanga 24,000 300,000 100,000
Tarlac 20,000 200,000 200,000
Zambales 55,000 60,000 -
TOTAL 195,000 729,000 850,000
E. Vaccination
To date the Provincial Veterinary Offices have vaccinated a total of 238,204 birds.
Province Total birds vaccinated

4. Aurora 20,020
Bataan 12,069
Bulacan 73,000
Nueva Ecija* -
Pampanga 8,667
Tarlac 115,982
Zambales 8,466
TOTAL 238,204
*100,000 vaccine given to CLSU, 60,000 to Cabiao & 40,000 to Zaragoza
F. Quarantine
20 Quarantine check points were initially planned to be set up in the region.
120 personnel manning the check points were hired by BAI.
- Aurora 2 checkpoints
- Bataan 1
- Bulacan 5
- Pampanga 1
- Nueva Ecija 2
- Tarlac 7
- Zambales 2
TOTAL : 20 checkpoints
G. Creation of the Newcastle Disease Regional Quick Response Team
Under the Special Order No. 353 series of 2016, the BAI lead the creation of Regional
Quick Response Team (RQRT) for Disease Events and Emergencies.
The BAI, DA RFO III and Central Luzon State University (CLSU) have entered into a
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to come up with a strategy to vaccinate susceptible animals
against ND in the province of Nueva Ecija by mobilizing at least 80 senior veterinary students
under the supervision of the Provincial Veterinarian. Kick-off ceremony of the said agreement
was done last April 26. The said event was attended by the senior clinicians of College of
Veterinary Medicine of the school who will be participating the vaccination. Meeting with the
private stakeholders was proceeded after the event.
With all the interventions that were put in place, fortunately the further spread of the disease
was controlled as of April 30, 2016. No more significant cases of ND have been reported.