Vaccination Against Newcastle Disease Veterinary Office of the Oberberg District calls on poultry keepers to vaccinate against Newcastle Disease.

Oberberg District. After 30 years without outbreaks, several cases of Newcastle Disease (ND) were detected in February 2026 in commercial poultry farms and small holdings in Brandenburg and Bavaria. The animal disease, which occurs particularly in chickens and turkeys, is also referred to as "atypical avian influenza" due to its similar symptoms.

Newcastle Disease is a highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects poultry. Infected birds show symptoms such as respiratory distress, diarrhea, balance disorders, reduced egg production, and fatalities. Different bird species are affected differently. While the virus can cause high mortality rates in chickens and turkeys, it often results in clinically unnoticeable infections in ducks or geese. The virus is harmless to humans. However, very close contact with infected animals can cause conjunctivitis.

In Germany, vaccination against ND has been mandatory for chickens and turkeys since the 1990s. This requirement applies regardless of flock size. Despite current supply shortages of vaccines, the Veterinary Office of the Oberberg District appeals to all poultry keepers to regularly vaccinate all animals as legally required and strictly adhere to biosecurity measures.

Hobby poultry keepers in Oberberg have the opportunity to obtain vaccines through local poultry breeding associations and protect their animals against ND with a live vaccine administered via drinking water at multi-week intervals. Collection dates for vaccines can be inquired about through local poultry breeding associations in Nümbrecht, Hückeswagen, and Radevormwald.

Timely and regular vaccination, along with consistent biosecurity measures, is crucial to contain the further spread of Newcastle Disease nationwide. Effective measures for disease prevention include the strict separation of street and barn clothing, securing barn access, storing feed protected from wild birds, and consistent control of mice and rats.

Newcastle Disease is notifiable in the EU. Dead wild birds and suspected cases in domestic poultry must be reported to the Veterinary and Food Monitoring Office of the Oberberg District.

Poultry holdings that are not yet registered, including hobby holdings, must immediately register with the animal disease fund and notify the Veterinary and Food Monitoring Office of the Oberberg District.

For reports or further questions, you can contact the Veterinary and Food Monitoring Office at Phone: 02261 88-3903 or via email: amt39@obk.de.
Further information can be found at: www.obk.de/newcastle.