Outbreak of Newcastle Disease Complicated by Secondary Bacterial Infections in a Flock of 9-Week-Old Cockerels: A Case Report

Abstract

Newcastle Disease (ND) is a highly contagious viral infection affecting all poultry species, causing significant economic losses globally. This report describes an outbreak of ND in a flock of 930 nine-week-old cockerels reared under a deep litter system in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. The outbreak was characterized by high morbidity and mortality despite prior vaccination with the LaSota strain. Affected birds exhibited severe diarrhea, anorexia, weakness, and respiratory distress. Six dead and three moribund birds were presented to the Poultry Unit of the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff Ultra-Modern Veterinary Hospital for investigation. Post-mortem examination revealed classical lesions consistent with velogenic viscerotropic ND, including tracheal and intestinal hemorrhages, cyanosis of the comb, and hepatic necrosis. Laboratory confirmation was achieved through Hemagglutination Inhibition (HI) and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), which identified Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) as the causative agent. Management interventions included antimicrobial therapy (Doxy-Gen 20/20) to combat secondary bacterial infections, electrolyte and energy supplementation (Vitalyte + Dextrose), immune modulation with Nigella sativa, and stringent biosecurity measures. This case emphasizes the need for enhanced vaccination strategies and strict biosecurity enforcement. This report stresses the significance of ND outbreaks in poultry production systems and the necessity for proactive disease surveillance and control measures. Timely diagnosis and coordinated response remain essential to mitigate the recurrent economic and health impact of ND in poultry production systems.