ANIMAL HEALTH DIRECTORATE AT THE NATIONAL VETERINARY SERVICE

*1606, Sofia; “Pencho Slaveikov”15 А blvd; ( + 359 2 915 98 42, e-mail: p_kam@nvms.government.bg

APPROVED BY ORDER № РД 11-754/20.07.2009

OPERATION MANUAL
FOR
NEWCASTLE DISEASE

July, 2009

Website: http://nvms.government.bg/content.php?cntid=82
List of Contents Page

I. Introduction 3
ІІ. Description of the disease and zoonotic aspect: 3
Susceptible species 3
Clinical signs 3
Post-mortem 3
Zoonotic aspect 5
ІІІ. Legislation 6
ІV. Registration of the poultry farms 6
V. Density of animal population 6
VI. Surveillance 7
VII. Information on the Newcastle disease: 8
VIII. Suspicion of Newcastle disease in the herd 8
IX. Confirmation of Newcastle disease in the herd 11
X. Valuation of animals 11
XI. Killing of animals 11
XII. Disposal of carcasses and contaminated material 11
XIII. Cleaning and disinfection 12
XIV. Establishment of protection and surveillance zones 13
XV. Restocking of the infected holding 15
XVI. Specific actions at instances of Newcastle disease in back yards 16
XVII. Disease in slaughterhouses, markets and border inspection posts: 17
XVIII. Newcastle disease in wild birds 19
XIX. Vaccination in the Event of an Outbreak of Newcastle disease 20
XX. List of contacts 20
XXI List of forms 22

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I. Introduction:

The operational manual was prepared in accordance with the Ordinance No 31 of 29 December
2005 on measures for prophylactics, limitation and eradication of Newcastle disease among
poultry and on terms and procedure for their implementation, transposing Directive EC
1992/66/EC.
The purpose of the manual is to give a detailed instruction and information about how to carry
out the practical matters in connection with a disease outbreak in domestic and wild birds.
The operational manual for Newcastle disease and the strategy and resource plan for emergency
diseases form the Bulgarian contingency plan for Newcastle disease.

II. Description of the disease and zoonotic aspect:

Newcastle disease is a highly contagious disease of birds caused by pathogenic strains of Avian
Paramyxovirus type 1 (APMV-1), occasionally virulent strains of Paramyxovirus of pigeon
(APMV1) can infect poultry causing Newcastle Disease.

Susceptible species:
- fowls,
- turkeys,
- geese,
- ducks,
- pheasants,
- guinea fowl
- other wild and captive birds, including ratites such ostriches, emus and rhea.

Clinical signs:

The clinical signs in affected birds can be very variable. The disease can be present in a very
acute form with sudden onset and high mortality or as a mild disease with respiratory distress or a
drop in egg production as the only detectable clinical signs.
A sub-clinical (asymptomatic) form of Newcastle disease and many intermediate forms of the
disease can also occur. The clinical signs include depression, lack of appetite, respiratory distress
with beak gaping, coughing, sneezing, gurgling and rattling, yellowish green diarrhoea and
nervous signs. In laying flocks a sudden drop in egg production with a high proportion of eggs
laid with abnormal (soft) shells is often an early sign of disease. Young birds are particularly
susceptible and mortality can be heavy, with survivors often exhibiting permanent nervous signs.

Post-mortem:

When lesions are present they may include haemorrhages (minute blood spots) in the lining of the
glandular stomach, gizzard, intestines, heart, inner surface of the chest wall, some skeletal
muscles and air sacculitis/pericarditis.

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 Pic.1 Marked hemorrhage of the comb, Pic. 2. Conjunctival hemorrhage
wattle, and adjacent skin

Pic. 3. Numerous clumps of fibrinonecrotic exudate Pic. 4. Hyperemic, necrotic cecal tonsils are
adhere to foci of necrosis in the oral, visible from the serosal surface
pharyngeal, and esophageal mucosa

Pic. 5. Heamorrhages of the glandular stomach Pic. 6. Heamorrhages of the glandular

stomach

Pic. 7. The cecal tonsil is red-brown, Pic. 8. Rectum-multiple linear mucosal hemorrhages.
thickened, and friable (necrotic).

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Zoonotic aspect:

The risk of human infection following exposure to Newcastle Disease /ND/ is likely to be very
low. While it is possible for humans to become infected by the routes described, such infections
are very unusual. There is no evidence of any cases among the veterinarians, or others, involved
in dealing with the disease in recent outbreaks in the countrywide.
1. Human health implications

Characteristic Description
Zoonosis: No
foodborne
Zoonosis: ND virus is a recognised human pathogen, and in the UK the virus is placed in
non-foodborne hazard group 2 by the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens. This means
ND is considered to be: "A biological agent that can cause human disease and
may be a hazard to employees; it is unlikely to spread to the community....".

Other human None

health implication
Method of Human infections with ND virus have usually resulted from direct contact with
transmission the virus, with infected birds or with the carcasses of diseased birds. Many of the
reported instances of ND virus infecting humans have been the result of direct
inoculation into the eye, either by laboratory workers or those handling vaccines.

Potential sources ND viruses virulent for poultry and those used as live vaccines appear to be
of human equally able to cause conjunctivitis in humans. Potential sources are laboratory
infection: cultures of the virus, live vaccines, infected birds or their excretions, or the
carcasses of diseased birds – especially if intestines are in place. Virus is unlikely
to be present in poultry meat for human consumption, and is destroyed by
cooking.

Groups at risk Laboratory staff working with high concentrations of virus; people in close
contact with infected birds or those administering live vaccines.

Symptoms of Reported infections have not been severe, have not threatened life and have
human disease usually not lasted for more than a day or two. The most frequently reported and
best substantiated clinical signs in human infections have been eye infections,
usually consisting of unilateral or bilateral reddening, excessive lachrymation,
oedema of the eyelids, conjunctivitis and sub-conjunctival haemorrhage;
infections are usually transient and the cornea is not affected.
Reports of other clinical symptoms in humans infected with ND virus have
included more generalised infections resulting in chills, headaches and fever, with
or without conjunctivitis, but such infections appear to be rare.

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Inter-human Uncertain. There have been no reports of human-to-human spread, although
transmission? spread by contact is theoretically possible.

III.Legislation:

1. Council Directive 92/66/EEC of 14 July 1992 introducing Community measures for

the control of Newcastle disease, transposed in Ordinance no 31 of 29 December 2005 on
measures for prophylactics, limitation and eradication of Newcastle disease among poultry and
on terms and procedure for their implementation;
2. Commission Decision 2000/666/EC laying down the animal health requirements and
the veterinary certification for the import of birds, other than poultry and the conditions for
quarantine

IV. Registration of the poultry farms:

The registration of poultry holdings is carried out by the National Veterinary Service according to
Article 51 of the Law for Veterinary Activity.
Registers for all authorized poultry holdings shall be kept on regional level according to Article
137 of the Law for Veterinary Activity.
All of the registered commercial poultry farms are in the national data base.

V. Density of animal population:

A: Commercial poultry:
Information on the number and geographical distribution of the commercial poultry farms,
registered in Bulgaria is given in table below:

Table with the number of poultry holdings – February 2009 (to be updated regularly)
Number of laying hens farms: 140
Number of other holdings, keeping broilers, ducks , gees and turkeys:400
The number of the backyard holdings is unknown.

B. Wild birds and migration fly ways:

The Republic of Bulgaria has an important geographical location with regard to the wild bird
migration.
During the winter the high density populated wild birds areas in Bulgaria are:
- Durankulake lake
- Varna lake
- Bourgas lake
- Hot water lakes

The main migration wild birds fly ways passing Bulgaria are Via Pointica and Via Aristoteles.

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VI. Surveillance:

Each year the Republic of Bulgaria implements the national surveillance programme for NCD in
domestic and wild birds. The programme is prepared by the NVS in accordance with the EU
legislation and implemented in cooperation with 28 RVSs.
General information on early detection/ surveillance on NCD are given below:

1. Wild bird surveillance:

Where the risk is from migrating birds, it is essential to identify the migratory habits of different
species, their origins, destinations and timing of migration. While disease in wild birds would not
be expected, it is of value to alert wildlife personnel to report unusual deaths in wild birds. Active
surveillance can be practised by catching wildfowl species and sampling (generally by taking
cloacal swabs) to test for the presence of AI and NCD viruses.

2. Domestic poultry surveillance:

The objectives of NCD surveillance and monitoring include:

- To detect clinical disease and infection.
- To understand the epidemiology and ecology of NCD, as well as its socioeconomic
impact, to help to design effective and implementable control programmes for poultry
production systems.
- To assess temporal and spatial patterns and thereby improve the effectiveness of control
efforts.
- To maintain livelihoods and assist in ensuring food security through the implementation
of appropriate control measures.
- To demonstrate freedom from clinical disease and absence of infection in a country or
compartment and thereby facilitate trade.
- To assess the efficacy of vaccination in the commercial holdings;

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In addition to formal surveillance and reporting procedures, raising awareness of the risk of NCD
is an important means of increasing the likelihood that an outbreak of disease in poultry will be
reported rapidly.

VII. Information on the Newcastle disease:

The information regarding NCD could be found on the number of web-site including:

http://nvms.government.bg/index.php
http://www.oie.int/eng/maladies/fiches/a_A160.htm
http://www.bgvet.org/science/clinic/infdis/ncastleb.php
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/vetsurveillance/profiles/sp-newcastledisease.pdf
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/newcastle/index.htm

During outbreaks the NVS may in addition to the information given in the web-site establish a
hot-line in order to respond the questions to the public.

VIII. Suspicion of Newcastle disease in the herd:

The owner or the private vet responsible for the commercial poultry holding shall call the official
vet about the suspicion of the disease.
The official vet shall visit the suspected farm taking into account the proper personal protection
(see the Annex II) and bringing the appropriate boxes for disease investigations described in the
part 1, point IV.
The official vet is responsible to:
- Carry out the epidemiological investigation using the official check-list;
- make an inventory of the different categories of susceptible birds on the holding.
- Animals susceptible to NCD shell be restricted to their living quarters or confined in
some other place where they can be isolated;
- No animals susceptible to NCD may enter or leave the holding;
- No animals of other species may enter or leave the holding;
- No meat or carcasses of species susceptible to NCD may leave the holding;
- No animal feed, equipment, articles, materials or waste capable of transmitting the
virus of NCD may leave the holding;
- make the records of any signs suggestive of NCD;
- identity and location on the holding of the birds showing such abnormalities.
- Put the farm under official restrictions. Persons and vehicles may enter or leave the
holding only if authorized to do so by the official veterinarian. If the suspicion is not
confirmed the restrictions are lifted;
- If the suspicion can not be refuted the appropriate samples should be taken for laboratory
examination. The samples transported to the laboratory shall be accompanied by the
appropriate official letter;

A. The standard set of samples for virological testing is:

1. at least five sick/dead birds, if present; and/or

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2. at least 20 tracheal/oropharyngeal and 20 cloacal swabs.

Carcases must be taken of birds that have died recently or that are severely sick or moribund and
have been killed humanely.
Swabs must be taken from the number of birds referred to in point 1 or from all birds on the
suspected holding where a smaller number of birds are present. Birds showing clinical disease
signs must be targeted for sampling.
The cloacal swabs must be coated in faeces (optimum 1 g). If for any reason it is impracticable to
take cloacal swabs from live birds, carefully collected fresh faeces samples may serve as an
alternative.
Frequently, it is most practical to collect tracheal/oropharyngeal swabs from the buccal cavity.
As soon as the growth characteristics of the virus are known, the competent authority may decide
to choose either tracheal/oropharyngeal or cloacal swabs rather than to collect both depending on
whether the virus replicates better in the respiratory or gastrointestinal tract and also taking into
account the species concerned.

Pic.. cloacal sampling Pic.. tracheal/oropharyngeal sampling

B. The standard set of samples for serological testing is a minimum of 20 blood samples.

Blood can be collected from the jugular vein (right side of the bird’s neck), brachial/unlar vein
(wing vein) (see figure 9) or medial metatarsal vein (leg vein) using a 22 g, 23 g, 25 g, or 27 g
hypodermic needs or butterfly needle and a 12 mL, 10 mL, 6 mL, 3 mL or 1 ml syringe,
depending on the size of the bird and the amount of blood to be collected (see figure 1). In
general, it is safe to collect 0.3-0.6 cc of blood per 100 g of body mass from live birds, however,
it is always best to collect as little blood as is necessary to conduct the testing required. If you
plan to do hematology tests in addition to disease surveillance, it is recommended that you use a
22 g through 25 g needle as a 27 g needle or smaller damages cells as they pass through this
narrow diameter needle. After blood is collected, cover the venipuncture site with gauze and
apply digital pressure until bleeding stops (30-60 seconds).
Immediately transfer blood from the syringe to a serum (red top) gel separator tube or plasma
(green top) gel separator tube (some labs prefer serum while others prefer plasma depending on
the tests being performed – check before conducting field work). Plasma tubes should
immediately be kept refrigerated or in a cool water bath until spun in a portable centrifuge. Serum
samples should be allowed to clot at environmental temperature, and then be kept refrigerated or
in a cool water bath until centrifugation. After being centrifuged, serum or plasma should be

9
transferred to a cryovial with a sterile transfer pipette or, if unavailable, carefully poured into the
cryovial and then frozen.

Each samples should be labeled appropriate.

Pic. Brachial vein puncture Pic. Jugular vein puncture

Pic. Withdrawal of blood from the medial metatarsal Pic. Filling of EDTA vial by allowing vacuum to empty
vein the syringe.

Transport of samples
Specific care must be taken for the storage and transport of samples to the laboratory for testing.
The swabs must be chilled immediately on ice or with frozen gel packs and submitted to the
laboratory as quickly as possible. The samples must not be frozen unless absolutely necessary. If
rapid transport within 24 hours to the laboratory is not guaranteed, the samples must be
immediately frozen, stored and then transported on dry ice. In addition and not as an alternative
to chilling, the swabs must be placed in an antibiotic or specific virus transport
medium at 4 °C so that they are fully immersed. In the absence of such medium, swabs must be
returned to their casing and submitted dry to the laboratory for testing.
The storage and transport of samples may be affected by a variety of factors so the method
selected for transport must be fit for that purpose.

Remark. Always advise the receiving laboratory in advance that specimens are being dispatched,
and give when the samples are transported by air - the airway bill number and expected time of
arrival.

IX. Confirmation of Newcastle disease in the herd:

When the disease is confirmed all of the birds in the holding have to be killed and disposed in
order to limit any possible spread of NCD from the holding.

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X. Valuation of animals:

The special commission makes a valuation of the birds and completes the official documentation.
The commission is created by the order of the Director of the Regional Veterinary Service in
accordance with the LVA.
Valuation of animals on the holding will normally be carried out before they are killed. No
compensation will be paid for birds that die before killing starts; but payment shall be made for
birds killed for diagnostic purposes.
An appeal procedure exists to deal with disagreements about the valuation of flocks.
In any event valuation or problems arising from the valuation will not be allowed to delay the
killing of all susceptible birds of the infected holding;

XI. Killing of animals:

Before killing starts arrangements must be made by the experts from the Regional crisis
Centre for the safe disposal of the carcasses; but nothing should be allowed to delay the
killing of all susceptible birds as soon as possible after the confirmation of Newcastle
disease on the holding, with priority being given to the killing of those showing clinical
signs of the disease.
Killing may be done in accordance with any of the mentioned in Annex II methods. Independent
of the method used the experts from RVS shall ensure the compliance with animal welfare
legislation.

XII. Disposal of carcasses and contaminated material:

Because of the highly infectious nature of ND it is preferable to dispose of the carcasses and
contaminated material on the infected holding, if possible by burial or, failing that by cremation.
Disposal of dead birds, poultry litter and other contaminated waste is best done by burial. The
methods for disposal are described in Annex III.

Any meat or eggs of susceptible species, feed, utensils, objects and other materials, likely to
have become contaminated and, therefore, potentially capable of transmitting ND must be
seized and destroyed or treated, in accordance with the instructions of the Official
Veterinarian, in such a way as to ensure the destruction of any ND virus present. For
appropriate disinfection see table in part 1, point VII.
The carcasses of any susceptible animals that have died on the holding must be
destroyed, under official supervision, in such a way as to avoid any risk of spreading the
virus of Newcastle disease
The meat of susceptible animals from the infected holding slaughtered during the period
between the probable introduction of the disease and the imposition of movement
controls must, be traced and destroyed under supervision so as to ensure that there is no
risk of spread of the virus of Newcastle disease.

XIII. Cleaning and disinfection:

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Cleaning and disinfection should be started as soon as the susceptible birds have been
killed and removed from the holding and must be carried out in a methodical way. At
farms where the rodents are present the deratization should take place. For deratization the
products to be used include:
- Lanirat
- Lanitox
- Paraffin blocks consisting of anticoagulants for canalizations

The Official Veterinarian in charge of the infected holding should draw up a plan of action
for cleaning and disinfection and should supervise all stages of the operation.
Prior to the start of the operation a note should be made of any damage to the fabric of the
buildings and equipment which are to be cleaned and disinfected. This will indicate
areas, such as cracked floors and walls or loose fittings, which will require special attention;
and will also give an inventory of existing damage to the premises so that subsequent
claims for compensation arising from these official activities may be more easily dealt
with. In addition a check should be made that the electrical installation are safe, and
unlikely to be made unsafe by the use of washing water. Electricity and water meters should
be read so that the owner may be paid for the resources used.
Cleaning and disinfection are carried out in two parts as follows.

Preliminary cleaning and disinfection

The parts of the holding in which susceptible animals were housed and any other parts of the
holding, such as buildings or yards, which may have been contaminated by the movement of
susceptible birds or during killing or post mortem examination, should be sprayed with a
disinfectant officially approved as effective against the virus of NCD.

Final cleaning and disinfection

Grease and dirt should be removed from all surfaces with a degreasing compound and
washed with cold water.

Tabl.А. Details on disinfectant procedures good for use in NCD virus contaminated
environments:
Item to be disinfected Disinfectant /see tabl. B/
Dead birds/ carcass Rendering plant/ bury
Animal housing/equipment/cages Soap and detergents; Sodium hypohloride; Ca
hypohloride; Virkon, Virocid, NaOH or
Na2CO3
Humans Soap and detergents
Electrical equipment Formaldehyde gas

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Water tanks Drain to pasture if possible
Ponds used by poultry/ducks Drain to pasture if possible
Feed Bury
Effluent, manure Bury or burn
Human housing Soap and detergents; Sodium hypohloride; Ca
hypohloride; Virkon or Virocid
Machinery, vehicles Soap and detergents or Na2CO3
Clothing Soap and detergents; Sodium hypohloride; Ca
hypohloride; Virkon, Virocid, NaOH or
Na2CO3

Decontamination
Soapy water and detergents are the first choice for decontamination. The NCD virus is more
easily destroyed than many other viruses since it is very sensitive to detergents which destroy the
outer lipid envelope of the virus. Therefore washing of contaminated surfaces should always be
with detergents (soapy water) or specific disinfectants. The most difficult material to
decontaminate are bird droppings since the virus can survive in moist environments with high
organic content; it is essential to thoroughly clean and disinfect items that have been in contact
with bird droppings – cages, shoes, clothes – before working with poultry or entering a place
where poultry are kept.

The procedures for disinfection, desinsection and deratisation are described in Annex ІV.

XIV. Establishment of protection and surveillance zones:

As soon as the diagnosis of NCD has been confirmed on a holding the National veterinary
service must establish a protection zone with a minimum radius of at least three kilometers
around the infected holding. The protection zone will be within a surveillance zone with a
minimum radius of at least ten kilometres around the infected holding.
The zones may be increased in size in accordance with the epidemiological data gathered
during the inquiry and their size will also take account of other factors such as:
- the risk of airborne dissemination of the virus;
- natural and other boundaries in the area;
- other geographical features;
- the location and proximity of holdings with susceptible birds in the area;
- patterns of trade in birds in the area;
- the availability of slaughterhouses;
- the checks employed and the facilities for carrying them out;

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If a zone includes any part of a neighboring Member State the official veterinary service
will collaborate with the competent authority of that Member State in establishing the
zone.
All necessary measures shown in Ordinance of prophylaxis, control and eradication of NCD
must be taken, to ensure that all persons in the protection and surveillance zones and any
persons who might wish to visit those zones on business connected with the livestock
industry are fully aware of the restrictions in force.
Measures must also be taken, including the use of the police as appropriate, to ensure the
strict enforcement of the control measures in the protection and surveillance zones.

1.Controls in the protection zone

The following measures must be carried out:

- a census must be made of all holdings with susceptible birds as soon as possible
- susceptible birds must be housed or otherwise confined
- the poultry are kept in their living quarters or such other place where they can be isolated;
- there is an appropriate means of disinfection at the entrance and exits of the premises;
- poultry and hatching eggs are not moved from the premises except under a licence issued
by a official veterinarian:
o for the purpose of transport for immediate slaughter to a designated
slaughterhouse, or
o in the case of day old chicks or ready-to-lay pullets, to premises within the
surveillance zone on which there are no other poultry, or
o in the case of hatching eggs to a designated hatchery, subject to the eggs and their
packing being disinfected before dispatch; and used litter and poultry manure are
not removed or spread.
- fairs, markets, shows or other gatherings of susceptible birds, including collection and
distribution, must be prohibited;
- hunting must be prohibited;
- no person shall move any poultry, eggs or carcases within the zone, except that poultry
may be transported without stopping through the zone on a major highway or railway.
- clinical examination of birds within the zone .

The measures are applied for at least 21 days after the preliminary cleansing and disinfection of
the infected farm and thereafter until the NVS declares the protection zone to have become part
of the surveillance zone.

2. Controls in the surveillance zone

The following measures must be carried out:

- a census must be made of all holdings with susceptible birds;
- poultry are not moved from the premises out of the zone except under a licence issued by
an official veterinarian for the purpose of transport direct to a designated slaughterhouse
outside the surveillance zone;

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 - hatching eggs are not moved from the premises out of the zone except under a licence
issued by the official veterinarian for the purpose of transport direct to a designated
hatchery and subject to the eggs and their packing being disinfected before dispatch; and
- used litter and poultry manure are not moved out of the zone.\
- no person shall move any poultry or hatching eggs into or within the zone except that
poultry may be transported without stopping through the zone on a major highway or
railway.
- fairs, markets, shows or other gatherings of susceptible birds, including collection and
distribution, must be prohibited;
- hunting must be prohibited;
- The owner of any vehicle used to convey poultry, poultry carcases, poultry offal, poultry
feathers or eggs originating in an infected area, before it is so used, as soon as practicable
after each time it is so used and in any event before it is so used again, must effectively
clean and disinfect it.

The surveillance zone will remain in place until a minimum period of 30 days has
passed from the completion of the preliminary cleansing and disinfection of the last infected
holding

Additional Controls:

- Export health certificates for live poultry and hatching eggs will be withdrawn.
- Consignments of live birds, day old chicks and if possible poultry meat exported during
the risk period would be identified and authorities in the importing country notified.
- Disposal of carcases and other poultry products (e.g. eggs) by incineration would be
implemented immediately.

The detailed information about the measures which should be taken in the zones is given in
Chapter IV of Ordinance no 31 of 29 December 2005 on measures for prophylactics, limitation
and eradication of Newcastle disease among poultry and on terms and procedure for their
implementation, transposing Directive EC 1992/66/EC.

XV. Restocking of the infected holding:

After killing, disposal and decontamination procedures have been completed the premises must
be left without susceptible species for a period of time, determined by the estimating survival
time of the pathogen in the particular environment. Restocking should not take place until at least
21 days after satisfactory cleaning and disinfection has been completed and the outbreak has been
brought under control in the area. Restocking should be undertaken by introducing a small
number of poultry first, and these monitored daily for signs of disease. Should this occur,
notification to the authorities must be immediate and sampling of the sick or dead birds done to
determine the cause. If the poultry remain healthy, full repopulation can be carried out. Of course,
improvement of biosecurity should be instituted at all stages of production to decrease the
likelihood of NCD or other diseases entering the recovered premises. After repopulation,
monitoring should be continuous through the sampling of dead birds to determine whether re-
infection has occurred for 21 days.

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XVI. Specific actions at instances of Newcastle disease in back yards:

If the birds owner notice a high death rate of his birds, he is obliged immediately to advise his
official or private veterinarian.
Until the visit of the veterinary expert, the farmer must place the birds in isolation and must not
allow anybody to have an access to them to stop the movement, transposition and regrouping of
these birds inside and outside the yard.
In compliance with the Law for Veterinary Activity if there is no veterinary expert in charge of
this holding the owner shall immediately advise the regional or the official veterinary expert.
The veterinary expert should:
- immediately visit the backyard and give necessary instructions (in writing) to prevent
further dissemination of the disease;
- with no delay inform the regional veterinary service;
- place the birds in the backyard under interdiction and give written instructions;
- check the availability of disinfecting platform at the entrance of the yard, its serviceability
and suitability as well as the concentration of the disinfectant solution;
- require data from the owner about the number and type of the birds as well as data about
those which have died, those which have shown clinical signs of the disease and those
with no signs of the disease;
- advise the mayor immediately and make a decision to possibly place under interdiction
any neighboring yards with epizootic and technical connection with the affected
backyard;
- take samples and send them to the national reference laboratory to prove the availability
of NCD virus;
The following activities shall be cancelled in the backyard:

- moving in and out of people, animals and vehicles without a permission from the
veterinary expert;
- Displacement of:
o birds, bird raw materials, food and carcasses of dead birds for 21 days from the
date of notification of the official veterinary expert about the suspicion of the
disease;
o layer, manure, farm equipment, footwear, vehicles that may carry the virus;
o slaughter of birds;
o usage of the eggs obtained from the birds in this yard both for reproduction and
consumption.
o
In case of confirmation of NCD in backyard poultry, the birds should be killed by some of the
methods shown in the Annex II.
Killing of the birds must take place at an adequate distance from water basins (lakes and wells). It
must bring fast death of the birds in order to contain the spread of contagious feathers and down
in the environment.
It is possible that the virus might have infected various objects, materials and areas which have
been in contact with the infected birds or have been used for killing the birds.
Plastic bags, the animal food, wooden crates, boxes, fences etc. can be easily burned, the manure
– composted or buried in the ground.
Regardless whether the birds’ premises are made of brick or wood they should be:

16
 - roughly cleaned
- swept
- washed
- sprayed with disinfectant

The birds’ owners should not:

- visit other birds holdings
- rent their equipment to other farmers (equipment, vehicles, bird perching places, eggs
crates etc. )
- allow the movement of birds and other animals from the affected yard

When the owner or his family leaves the affected yard they should wash and disinfect their
footwear and vehicle tyres.
Restocking may start minimum 21days after the last disinfection and upon a special permission
issued by the director of the regional veterinary service.

XVII. Disease in slaughterhouses, markets and border inspection posts:

1. Disease in a market:

1.1 SUSPICION:
When NCD is suspected in a market, movement restrictions shall be imposed immediately to
prevent the possibility of widespread dissemination of the disease by animals, vehicles,
people, or materials.
The restrictions imposed should be:
- the sale of birds must be stopped;
- all birds in the market must remain in their cells and must not be allowed to leave unless
under official authorization to a nearby slaughterhouse for slaughter within 24 hours;
- no birds must be allowed to enter the market;
- no materials or waste likely to transmit the virus of NCD must be allowed to leave
the market;
- persons must be allowed to enter or leave the market only if authorized to do so by the
National Veterinary Service and must be required to disinfect their footwear
before leaving;
- vehicles must be allowed to enter or leave the market only if authorized to do so by the
National Veterinary Service and must be required to cleaned and disinfected;
- appropriate means of disinfection, using a disinfectant officially approved as effective
against the virus of NCD, must be placed at all vehicular and pedestrian entrances to
and exits from the market.
The holding of origin of the suspected group or groups of birds shall be the subject of an
investigation and, along with any holdings which have received from the market birds which
might have been exposed to infection with the virus of NCD disease, shall be placed under
surveillance at least until the suspicion of infection has been ruled out.

1.2 Confirmation
When NCD is confirmed in a market the following measures shall occur:

17
 - all birds in the market shall be killed without delay;
- the carcasses must be destroyed under official supervision in such a way as to avoid the
risk of NCD spreading;
- cleaning and disinfection of the buildings, pens, passageways and equipment, including
vehicles, shall be carried out;
- susceptible birds that left the market on that day prior to the imposition of emergency
restrictions shall be traced and placed under official restriction and surveillance; the
vehicles that carried them shall be cleaned and disinfected;
- any susceptible birds subsequently carried by the vehicle that collected and delivered the
infected animals shall be traced and placed under official restriction and surveillance;
- Susceptible birds on the holding of origin of the infected animals must also be
killed if the epidemiological evidence supports such a course of action.

2. DISEASE IN SLAUGHTERHOUSES:

1. The following measures must be carried out at the slaughterhouse in case of suspicion:

(a) A check of the production and health records of the poultry holding of origin, if such records
exist.
(b) A clinical inspection in each production unit, including an evaluation of its clinical history
and clinical examinations of poultry or other captive birds, taking into account the consultation
with the official veterinarian at the slaughterhouse who must provide details of any previous
inspection data and results of ante-and postmortem examinations.
(c) Unless the official veterinarian is satisfied that the suspected presence of NCD may be
excluded on the basis of the veterinary investigation in accordance with points (a) and (b), the
standard samples must be taken from each production unit.
(d) In addition to the standard samples, samples of at least five sick, dead or slaughtered birds in
the slaughterhouse with pathological findings must be submitted for laboratory tests.

No poultry is transported to the slaughterhouse until suspicion is confirmed or refuted.

Birds present at the slaughterhouse shall be slaughtered and the meat, products and by- products
from the suspected birds shall be placed by the supervision of the official veterinarian. Likewise
shall meat, products and by-products, which may be contaminated be placed on the supervision.
If the laboratory tests are negative and that there is no clinical suspicion of the presence of NCD
on the holding of origin and in the slaughterhouse, the official supervision may be lifted.

2. Measures in slaughterhouse in case of confirmation of NCD:

2.1 If NCD has been confirmed meet, products and by-products from the infected flock and from
poultry which have been contaminated shall be destroyed.
2.2 Buildings, equipment and vehicles must be cleaned and disinfected in accordance with the
requirements of the official vet.
2.3 The time required for cleaning and disinfection depends on the degree of contamination and
the method selected for cleaning and disinfection. Operation can not start before 24 hours after
the cleaning and disinfection procedures have been approved by the official veterinarian.

3. MEASURES TO BE APPLIED IN BORDER INSPECTION POSTS- BIPS

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1. The following measures must be carried out at the BIP in case of suspicion:

(a) If NCD suspicion among the poultry of birds kept on the BIP the official veterinarian will
immediately determine whether the birds are from Bulgarian origin or not and isolate all
birds on the BIP.
(b) in the event the birds are with Bulgarian origin the official veterinarian will arrange the visit
to the flock of origin and carry out disease investigation as laid down in the legislation.
(c) Birds present on the BIP will be sampled after consultation with the NVS and NRL for NCD.
(d) Based on the risk assessment the birds under suspicion on the BIP may stay in quarantine at
the BIP or moved to the placed designated by the NVS.
(e) If the birds are with foreign origin the birds will be quarantined and the central veterinary
service of the country of origin will immediately notify.

In case the laboratory tests are negative and that there is no clinical suspicion of the presence of
NCD on the holding of origin and in the BIP, the official supervision may be lifted.

2. Measures in BIP in case of confirmation of NCD:

a) If NCD has been confirmed all birds on the BIP shall be destroyed.
b) Buildings, equipment and vehicles must be cleaned and disinfected in accordance with the
requirements of the official vet.
c) The time required for cleaning and disinfection depends on the degree of contamination and
the method selected for cleaning and disinfection. Operation can not start before 24 hours
after the cleaning and disinfection procedures have been approved by the official
veterinarian. The BIP will be under restriction for all live animals within 24 hours as decided
by the NVS.

XVIII. Newcastle disease in wild birds:

In case of NCD in wild birds the following measures should be carried out:
- protection zones of 3 kilometers radius and surveillance zones of 10 kilometers radius
around the outbreaks must be established;
- registering of poultry owners and census of the poultry in these zones must be
effected;
- all poultry must be reared in closed premises;
- the feed intended for feeding of poultry must be stored in closed premises;
- daily clinical examinations of the poultry in those two zones and of the industrial
poultry farms in all regions affected must be carried, the results thereof must be
recorded in protocols;
- ban must be imposed on any movement of live poultry, reproduction and consumption
eggs, fresh poultry meat and meat products coming from the protection and
surveillance zones;
- samples must be taken for NCD laboratory testing from:
o all domestic and wild birds found dead in the two zones;
o the industrial poultry farms (of intensive breeding) countrywide;
o the poultry farms in the settlements located near to the places and water

19
 areas, in which migrating birds settle;
- the farmers must be instructed to enter the premises, in which poultry are reared, if
only dressed in cloths and footwear intended only for this purpose and after having
disinfected their hands and footwear;
- a ban must be imposed on any hunting of feathered game on the whole territory of the
country;
- a ban must be imposed on the live poultry markets on the affected territory;
- thorough disinfecting must be effected of all vehicles entering into or exiting the
protection or surveillance zones;
- there must be disinfecting grounds established at all public places located within
protection or surveillance zones;
- warning tables have must placed to mark the outbreaks;

XIX. Vaccination in the Event of an Outbreak of Newcastle disease:

Vaccination Area:

Vaccination will be considered as a control measure in an outbreak of NDV. The decision to

implement compulsory vaccination will depend on factors such as the density of poultry farms in
the area.

Vaccination as a Control Measure:

There are two types of ND vaccine available: inactivated vaccines, in which the viral component
is killed, and live vaccines. Live vaccines can be delivered through spray, aerosolisation, drinking
water or direct inoculation. This means that they can be delivered to a large number of birds
relatively quickly and effectively. Inactivated vaccines may only be delivered by direct
inoculation, which would be impractical on a large scale.
Current vaccines protect birds against clinical disease caused by NDV, but do not protect against
infection. Infected vaccinated birds will excrete the virus, but in relatively small amount, and will
remain apparently healthy.

XX. List of contacts

1. National expert groups participating in the implementation and control of measures for
NCD:

Two expert groups are established for implementation of the NCD control measures as follows:

First expert group

Name Organisation Tel: e-mail

d-r Pencho Kamenov Director of “Animal 02 9159842 P_kam@nvms.government.bg
health” Directorate
d-r Gabriela Gujgulova NRL 02 934-07-19 gvgoujgoulova@abv.bg

20
D-r Petya Petkova Chief expert “AH” 02 9159842 p_petkova@nvms.government.bg
Directorate
Other if necessary

Second expert group:

Name Organisation Tel: e-mail

d-r Ilian Boykovski Chief of unit “Infectious 00359/29159842 ilian.boykovski@nvms.goverment.
diseases” bg
d-r Yulian Tumbarsky NRL 02 934-07-19 tumbarski@abv.bg
d-r Tsviatko Alexandrov Chief expert “AH” 00359/29159842 tsv.alexandrov@nvms.government.
Directorate bg
Other if necessary

The members of the expert groups may be changed if necessary.

2. Diagnostic laboratories:

The diagnostics of NCD is carried out by the national reference laboratory, designated by the
minister of agriculture and food and set up at the laboratory for diagnostics of exotic diseases at
the National Diagnostic and Research Veterinary Institute in Sofia and regional laboratory in
Aksakovo, Varna District

Name of laboratory Address and contact details

NRL 190, Sofia, “Lomsko shosse” Blvd
Director: Senior Sc. Ass., Dr. Georgi Georgiev
Tel: 02 876 92 67
Fax: 02 934 54 02
mobile: 0886 623 632
e-mail: georgivet2@yahoo.com
RL “Batova” № 2 str., 9154 Aksakovo
tel:/fax: 003595113 4427; 003595113 4428

NRL can send samples to the Community reference Laboratory.

Name of laboratory Address and contact details

CRL for NCD Veterinary laboratory Agency, New Haw,
Weybridge,
Surrey KT 15 3NB, United Kingdom
Тел.: + 44 0 1932 357 708
Факс: + 44 0 1932 357 856

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XXI. List of forms:

EPIZOOTIC INVESTIGATION UPON SUSPISION OR CONFIRMATION

OF AVIAN INFLUENZA AND NEWCASTLE DISEASE IN BIRDS

1Date of the visit upon a suspicion or confirmation of a disease:

(date, month, year) hour:
Report drawn up by:......................................................................................
Poultry holding was visited by:……………………………………………………………………..
2. Reson for suspicion / disease:
2.1 poultry holding is: suspicion disease
The poultry holding was proclaimed suspicious / dicease on the grounds of:
clinical inspection date: ............................... (day, month, year) hour: ...........
laboratory confirmation date: ............................... (day, month, year) hour: ..........
Means of reporting the suspicion/infection of Avian Influenza/Newcastle disease :

announcementе tracing checking other

by: owner veterinary expert bird tradesman

laboratory other
3. General Information about the poultry holding with suspicion of infected or diseased
birds

3.1. Name of the owner: ..........................................................................................................

Registration number of the poultry

holding

Address: .......................................................................................................................................
Postal Code.......................................City...............................................................................
Country.............................................Telephone ........................................................................
Name of the veterinary expert in charge of the holding: ...................................................
3.2. Location of the poultry holding suspected for presence of infected/diseased birds (if different
from the owner’s address) :

Name of the owner .........................................................................................................................

Address: ..........................................................................................................................................

22
Postal code...............................................City........................................Country..............................
3.3. Is the owner in possession of other poultry holdings? If “Yes”:
Address: ..........................................................................................................................................
Postal code...............................................City........................................Country............................
Address: ..........................................................................................................................................
Postal code...............................................City........................................Country..............................
3.4. Type of the Poultry Holding:
Availability of other birds yes no

Domestic .............................

/indicate the type/

Wil synanthropic

d
migratory

Commercial

Breeding

Cramming

Free raising

Others

Non-commercial
Backyards Indicate type............................................

Commercial
Hen Cells

23
 s Ground

Lay
Free
ing

Hen

Broilers

Turkey

Geese

Feathered wild birds raised in large

Othe cages

rs Exotic Birds

................................................

3.5 Were measures for biological safety introduced in the poultry holding ?

Yes No

3.5.1. Indicate the measures:

Control of the Bird health

Control of the free movement of people in the poultry holding

Availability of disinfecting plartform at the entrance of all

premises of the holding

Vehicles Hygiene

24
 Fodder and the Water Hygiene

Control on the DDD Actions

Cleaning and Disinfection of the Buildings

Keeping a Holding Data Log

Use of Private Equipment in Each Building

3.6. Poultry Holding Location

3.6.1. Area
The holding is located at: veterinary zone .............................................................................
state game breeding stations………………………………………
national parks , ............................................................................
surveillance zone …………………………………… …………..
vaccination zone ..................................................................
3.6.2. Are there other domestic/wild birds holdings within 1000 m from the suspected / infected
poultry holding?
Yes No If yes..............
Name............................................................................................................................................
Address.........................................................................................................................................
Postal Code............................ city.....................................................................................................
4. Condition of the Terrain of the Poultry Holding

4. 1. Drawing a map: Please draw a map of the poultry holding including the buildings
(identification per number), rooms/halls (identification per number) and the roads around them,
owner’s house and the neighbouring poultry farms; Mark North-South with an arrow.

4.2. Clinical Results Following the Inspection

4.2.1.
Number
Numb Typ of
Identification Bird Type Total of
Buildi er of the
of the Poultry and Number suspected Clinical Signs
ng No Sampl Sampl
Holding Category of Birds or infected
es e
birds

25
#: except for the birds taken/killed for laboratory studies
Type of Birds ......................................................

Birds must be counted upon observation

4.2.2 First signs – Date ..................................... Day/Month/Year

4.2.3 Which building/hall ? Building..................................... Hall....................................
4.2.4 Please describe the recent progress of disease (history of the decease)
....................................................................................................................................................
4.2.5 Have birds been recently treated with any veterinary products?
Yes No
4.2.6 If yes, what veterinary products, initial date of treatment, duration of treatment ,
Treatment with .............................. Initial Date ................(day/month/year) Duration: ...... days
Treatment with ......................................... Initial Date ................(day/month/year) Duration:
4.2.7. If “Yes”.under item 4.2.5. have birds reacted to this treatment?
Yes No
What was the differential diagnosis?: ………………………………………………………………
4.3. Birds sent for laboratory diagnostics
4.3.1
Identification number of the
Type of birds Location in the poultry holding
bird

Total number of the birds dispatched:

4.3.2 Have birds or samples been recently received for laboratory studies under the surveillance
programmes? Yes No
, ,
4.3.3 If “Yes”, when? ....................................(Day/Month/Year)
4.3.4 Have the infected birds and/or the suspected birds been placed in isolation?
Yes No
, ,
History of death rate before being announced

26
 Please mention the number of birds which died in the last 4 weeks, the place in the poultry
holding where the birds got infected (please use the map) and the probable reason for their
death.

Room
Building Type of Birds
(hall) Clinical Signs
Number
Number

5. Birds Available in the Poultry Holding

The number of birs shall be specified by census.

Total number of the birds Number of the infected

Birds
available (including the infected birds
ones)

Total number of birds:

5.2. Availability of Registration

Yes No
, ,

5.3. Other Farm Animals

Other Farm Animals

Number Isolated from the Birds
Large ruminants Yes/No
Other ruminants Yes/No
Sheep Yes/No
Goats Yes/No
Horses Yes/No
Swines Yes/No
Dogs Yes/No
Cats Yes/No
Rabbits Yes/No
Others Yes/No

27
6. Contacts with Animals in the Surrounding Area
6.1. Are there contacts with animals from neighboring poultry holdings?
Yes No
, ,
6.2.If “Yes”: they include the following poultry holdings:
Name...........................................................................................................................................
Address .........................................................................................................................................
Postal code and City .................................Holding registration number ......................................
Category of the holding ...............................................................................................................
7. Tracing the contacts with animals

7.1. Have new animals been imported in the poultry holding during the last 6 weeks?

Yes No
, ,
7.1.1 If “Yes” this includes the following species:

Date of Number
Species Abnormalities noticed by the owner
arrival of animals
A
B

7.1.2 Do the new animals (birds) originate from poultry holdings where birds are raised?

Yes , No
,
7.1.3 Name of the person who has carried the animals to the poultry holding

Name Address
A
B

Attention! The same order should be observed with the newly delivered animals. (8.1.1)
Eg. : Animals under “A” were delivered by driver/tradesman “A”

7.1.4 Does the poultry holding owner use his own vehicles?

, Yes , No

7.1.5 Have these vehicles been rented to other persons?

28
 , Yes , No

8. Disinfection Data:
8.1 Has a disinfection been carried out? :
, Yes , No
8.2 Is there a disinfecting platform for vehicles?

, Yes , No

8.3 Is the poultry holding manure being rendered innocuous?

Yes No
, ,
8.4 Disinfectant data:

Type

Concentration

Exposure

Others

9. Tracing previous contacts of the animals

9.1. Have animals from the poultry holding been sold during the last 6 weeks?

Yes DNo
9.1.1. If “yes” this includes the following species:

Number
Date of
Species of Abnormalities noticed by the owner
Sale
animals
A
B
C

9.1.2. The person who sold the birds from the poultry holding to the person who bought them is:

the owner tradesman/carrier/birds buyer

, ,

29
9.1.2.1 If the birds have not been transported by the owner himseld, please mention the name of
the person who carried the birds from the poultry holding.

Name Address
A
B
C

Attention! The same order should be observed as at sale ( item 9.1.1) Eg.: Animals under
“A” were delivered by carrier/tradesman “A”

9.1.3 Transportation of the birds to the destination address is carried out by:

, The owner selling birds – other animals have not been carried at the same time;

, The owner selling birds – other animals have not been carried at the same time;

, tradesman/carrier/buyer
9.2 Information about location of the birds sold from the infected poultry holding during the last
30 days.

10. Tracing of farm equipment, machines and other materials that may be contaminated
10.1 Have the equipment, machines or other materials been rented to other persons?
Yes No
, ,
10.1.1 If “yes”:

30
31
10.2 Have the equipment, machines or other materials been rented from other persons?
Yes No
, ,
10.2.1 If “yes”:

32
 10.3 Is it having manure from other poultry holdings at 200 m distance from the suspected /
infected poultry holding?

, Yes , No
10.3.1 Has manure been disposed from this suspected/infected holding during the last 4 weeks?

Yes No
, ,
10.3.1.1 If “yes” what is the destination of the manure?

Date Has it
Registration
Day been
Name Address City number of the
Month disinf
poultry holding
Year ed?

33
 10.4 Has manure been delivered in this suspected/infected poultry holding during the last 4
weeks?

, Yes , No
10.4.1 If “yes” – information about the manure origin:
Registratio Has it
Date
n number been
Day
Name Address City of the disinf
Month
poultry ed?
Yearа)
jolding

11. Tracing contacts with people

11.1 Name of persons who have visited the suspected/infected poultry holding during the last 4
week (please use the following code number):

№ Visitor № Visitor № Visitor

Neighboring
1 8 15 ................................................
Practicing Veterinary Expert acquaintances
2 Tradesman 9 Friends 16 ..................................................
Person raising birds at the Friends from the
3 10 17 ..................................................
backyard church
Person working in the People collecting
4 11 18 ..................................................
poultry industry your garbage
Family not living in the
Persons from
5 suspected/infected poultry 12 19 ..................................................
home delivery
holding
6 Carrier 13 20 ..................................................
Family/members from the
7 suspected/infected poultry 14 21 ..................................................
holding

11.2 Persons who had been in contact with the birds from the suspected/infected poultry holding

Code Date Building/Hall Contact

Purpose for the contact
No Day (please, use the №

34
 Month
identification map )
Year
А1
А2
А3
А4

Information about the contacts related to the above table

Contact
Name Address City
№
А1
А2
А3
А4

11.3 Persons who had not been in contact with the birds but had visited the suspected/infected
poultry holding

Date
Building/Hall
Cod Day Contact
Purpose for the contact (please, use the
e No Month №
identification map )
Year

В1
В2
В3
В4
В5

Information about the contacts related to the above table

Contact № Name Address City

В1
В2
В3

35
В4

11.4 Have the owner or other persons from the suspected/infected poultry holding visited recently
animal fairs/markets where birds susceptible to avian influenza and Newcasle disease have been
present

, Yes , No
11.4.1 If “yes”:

Date of the
Name of market/fair Address City
visit

12. Disposition of dead birds

12.1 How do you dispose of the dead birds? .............................................................................
13. Additional comments ........................................................................................................

14. Reporting:

Veterinary
Reported by: NVS/RVS
practitioner
Name
Function
Date
Signature

The official documents could be found on the following web- site:

http://www.nvms.government.bg/content.php?cntid=30

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