Newcastle Disease Virus

Newcastle disease virus (NDV), also known as avian paramyxovirus 1, causes a devastating disease globally in over 250 species of birds known as Newcastle disease. All the viruses belong to a single serotype but categorized into eighteen genotypes based on sequence analysis of the fusion gene. The virus is continuously evolving leading to generation of new genotypes. The clinical manifestation of the disease varies depending on the pathotype of the virus. Very virulent viruses cause severe mortality in susceptible birds whereas less virulent ones cause mild or inapparent symptoms. Diagnosis of the disease is carried out by conventional and molecular tests. The virus can be controlled by live as well as killed vaccines prepared out of less or moderately virulent viruses with considerable level of protection. Recently, genotype-matched vaccines are prepared by reverse genetics for disease control. The virus has a potential to be used as a vector for delivery of foreign immunogenic genes of poultry and other livestock as live-vectored vaccines. Considerable improvements have been made in using the virus as a potential anti-cancer therapeutic for ameliorating cancers of animals and humans. The present chapter delves the various epidemiological dynamics of the virus, diagnosis strategies, and control measures.