Newcastle disease in ostriches (Struthio camelus): Field case and experimental infection

Abstract

An outbreak of Newcastle disease (ND) in ostriches is described. In a flock aged 5 to 9 months of age 13 out of 46 ostriches died, whereas a neighbouring flock of 11‐month‐old birds remained unaffected. The main clinical signs were nervous. Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titres reached log₂ 8. The virus was isolated from the brain only. Experimental infection of five, 3‐month‐old ostriches with virulent ND virus caused the death of three birds within 5 to 10 d. Another had to be killed after showing typical signs. HI titres after 5 days exceeded log₂ 5. The virus could be reisolated from different organs.