Challenge for the revitalization of traditional production: control of Newcastle disease in Belgrade district [Serbia]

The global situation of Newcastle Disease (ND) is characterized by enzootic infection in many developing countries where village chickens are considered to be the main reservoir of the virus (Awan et al., 1994). Newcastle disease has been eradicated in most countries, but in developing countries occasional outbreaks occur and are mandatory reported to OIE. Development of new technologies in production of eggs of special, guaranteed quality by using hens housed in free ranges is becoming very popular trend in our country (Pavlovski et al., 2010). In order to further develop such practice our country must be free of ND. The latest notifaction of ND in Serbia and Belgrade, was in the period from 2006 to 2007. Newcastle disease virus (NDV) caused sporadic outbreaks among non-vaccinated domestic fowl (backyard chickens). The comparative serological data prior to the outbreak (in one district) has shown high titers in unvaccinated backyard flocks. This finding suggested that the virus was not dormant. The distribution of the high antibody titers tends to suggest close contact with infected birds and/or other means of virus transmission that contributes to ND spreading. In the Republic of Serbia preventive vaccination is mandatory for all commercially raised chickens, turkeys, game birds raised in farms and carrier pigeon participating in exhibitions. Control of effectiveness of the vaccine is regularly performed, only in commercial chicken flocks. A serological survey of domestic fowl is done periodically. After the outbreak occurred, small chicken flocks (less then 350 chickens in the household), were vaccinated with La Sota strain. Subsequently the blood samples were collected and investigated in order to estimate the level of protection and to identify vaccinated birds. Continual vaccination programs currently offer the only sustainable prospect for control of ND. The authors give information on the NDV antibody status of the poultry population in one Belgrade district estimated by recommended serological tests.