Diagnosis, management and control of newcastle disease outbreak in peafowls (Pavo cristatus)

Large scale mortality was reported in Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) population in Rohat tehsil and adjoining areas of Jodhpur district in Rajasthan. The birds were negative for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). A detailed study of ante-mortem and post-mortem findings confirmed a preliminary diagnosis of Newcastle Disease (Ranikhet disease). A treatment regimen was recommended for affected birds and immediate vaccination against the disease with live Lentogenic vaccine (Lasota strain) was started. After commencement of these measures, mortality stopped completely with a period of twenty days. Meanwhile after two weeks, the viscera sample were declared to be positive for Newcastle Disease (ND). Timely diagnosis, treatment and vaccination gave fifteen days of valuable time and saved lives of hundreds of peafowls.