Newcastle disease is a highly contagious viral disease of birds belonging to the order of chicken (pigeons, chickens, pheasants, turkeys). It is characterized by damage to the central and peripheral nervous system, intestines, lungs. Mortality of diseased birds is high. Newcastle disease virus appeared back in 1926 on the island of Java. By 1970, it spread everywhere and caused periodic outbreaks in birds.
Consider the disease from the inside out
Maybe Newcastle disease is also dangerous for humans? In order to understand this, you need to understand the epidemiology and pathogenesis of the disease.
The causative agent of Newcastle disease is Avian paramyxovirus, which persists in corpses of birds for up to 5 months. Disinfectants kill the pathogen in 20-30 minutes, direct sunlight in 5-10 minutes. The virus is released when birds exhale, with feces and pulmonary mucus. An infected bird is contagious within 14 days of the onset of the epidemic. Sources of the spread of the disease are also:
- uncontaminated poultry products;
- stern;
- work equipment;
- shoes for housekeeping staff;
- wild birds, dogs, rats, flies, etc.
Symptoms of the disease
How to recognize Newcastle disease? For a person who has never even encountered birds, this is not difficult. Four forms of the disease are distinguished, but all stages have similar symptoms:
- complete apathy of the bird to what is happening around it;
- respiratory distress (shortness of breath, sneezing, coughing);
- paralysis of the legs and wings;
- green feces mixed with mucus and blood.
Newcastle disease in humans occurs in the form of uncomplicated flu or conjunctivitis with inflammation of the lymph nodes and mild fever.
Why do people get sick?
There are several reasons for human morbidity: systematic non-observance of personal hygiene and the ingress of the virus into the body when inhaled contaminated air. It is enough to rub your eyes with unwashed hands to catch Newcastle's disease. For a person with a weakened immune system, the best way out is hospitalization in a medical institution, since an ailment can give complications.
We are treated for pseudo-plague
A person needs to be treated symptomatically for this infection. If the disease manifested conjunctivitis, then you need to contact an ophthalmologist who will conduct a diagnostic examination and prescribe the necessary drops. For colds, antiviral and antipyretic drugs are prescribed, and medications are used to treat throat or cough. In young children, the disease can lead to brain damage, so they are immediately hospitalized, regardless of their health condition. In a hospital, children are under the supervision of doctors for 5-6 days from the onset of the disease.
Defend yourself
Newcastle disease for humans, although less dangerous, but still requires preventive measures. In order not to get sick, you need to wash your hands and face after visiting the house, and also treat the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth with antiviral drugs. It is advisable to protect yourself and children from contact with a sick bird and call a veterinarian.