06.07.2012

On 23/02/2012 NRL confirmed an outbreak of Newcastle diseasein a farm located in Montespertoli municipality Florence province (Tuscany Region).
Farm reared 80 pigeons for non commercial use of which 10 died and 8 showed clinical symptoms.
An Highly virulent Paramyxo virus type1 (F protein cleaveage site –GRRQKR*F and ICPI: 1.2) was isolated from samples taken from livers of dead birds. This strain was charactherised as Pigeon Paramyxovirus type1 belonging to genetic lineage 4b.
On 16/05/2012 NRL confirmed an outbreak of Newcastle disease in a farm located in Gottasecca municipality Cuneo province (Piemonte Region). Farm reared 24 pigeons for non commercial use of which 1 died and 7 showing clinical symptoms were euthanized.
On 04/06/2012 NRL confirmed an outbreak of Newcastle disease in a farm located in Treja municipality Macerata province (Marche Region).
Farm reared 180 pigeons for non commercial use of which 10 died.
In both outbreak Mesogenic Paramyxovirustype 1 (F protein cleaveage site –GRRQKR*F and ICPI: between 0.9 and 1.05) was isolated from samples taken from livers of dead birds. The strains were characterised as Pigeon Paramyxovirus type 1 belonging to genetic lineage 4b. Clinical sign of disease weren’t severe, low rate of mortality was observed. These data are strongly related to the mesogenic pathotype; this form presents with respiratory signs, occasional nervous signs, but low mortality. These infections can pass undetected for several days also months.