Highly contagious animal disease – Canton Zurich monitored surveillance zone in Niederglatt
Canton of Zurich entered a surveillance zone in Niederglatt
On poultry farms, a number of veterinary authorities have detected Newcastle disease in hens.
At risk from Newcastle disease: Chickens and other bird species stop laying eggs or lay eggs with too thin a shell after they become ill.
Photo: KEYSTONE/Michael Buholzer
In order to prevent the highly contagious animal disease from spreading further, the poultry in the affected stock can be killed and the operation closed, the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (BLV) announced on Saturday.
The Zurich Veterinary Office has set up a protection zone of three kilometers and a surveillance zone of ten kilometers around the affected farm, in which special regulations apply to poultry farms. Only people who look after the animals and the veterinary authorities have access to the stables.
Risk of infection for all bird species
The disease was caused after the chickens’ laying performance collapsed and the eggs hardly had any shells, as the Zurich Health Department announced on Saturday. It is a typical symptom of Newcastle disease. No dead animals were found.
Gallinaceous birds in particular are affected by Newcastle disease, but geese, ducks, pigeons, ornamental and wild birds are also affected. Infection can be asymptomatic, but it can also have serious health consequences for infected animals. If infected animals develop symptoms, they initially eat less well, have an increased body temperature, are sleepy and thirsty.
The protection and surveillance zone around Niederglatt: Special measures apply to poultry farming in the red and orange areas.
Map: BLV
Sick animals usually sit in dark corners with their beaks open. They snore and sneeze frequently. The disease, caused by a virus, is considered highly contagious and is transmitted through the air or through direct contact. They can also spread indirectly via people, poultry products or egg cartons, as the BLV writes. Depending on the strain of the virus, the severity of the disease can vary. In the acute form, the mortality rate is 90 to 100 percent.
Infection rare in humans
The origin of the disease is still unknown at this time. Official veterinarians now check the health status of the poultry in the protection and surveillance zones. According to the Zurich health authorities, the zones will remain in place for at least 21 days.
Infections in humans are rare. Newcastle disease is a highly contagious animal species and is therefore notifiable. Anyone who keeps or monitors animals must report suspected cases to the veterinarian on the farm. The last case of Newcastle disease in Switzerland occurred in November 2017 in the canton of Ticino. The disease can also be transmitted to humans.
Human infections are rare and usually affect poultry farmers, laboratory workers and veterinarians. Transmission occurs through the air or through the conjunctiva after direct contact with infected poultry, especially chickens. Unilateral, sometimes bilateral, conjunctivitis is seen in people who become infected. The lymph nodes in front of the ears often swell.
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