Newcastle disease risk to UK poultry raised as disease spreads

Veterinary experts at Defra have raised the risk status for Newcastle disease in poultry from “low” to “medium” as the disease continues to spread in continental Europe.

Newcastle disease is highly virulent, with symptoms similar to avian influenza, including respiratory distress, neck twisting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, egg drop and raised mortality.

According to Defra’s latest European assessment, the disease has recently been confirmed in Poland and Germany – for the first time since 2008 – following earlier detections in Lithuania, Slovakia and Spain.

See also: Advice on using water vaccination for broilers and layers

Poland remains the worst-affected country. “Since the beginning of 2026, outbreaks in commercial farms in Poland have affected as many as 1.8 million birds,” says the Defra report.

Risks for GB

While Great Britain has strict controls to protect its own flock – including mandatory vaccination and trade bans from regions affected by Newcastle disease – Defra says questions remain about how the cases in Europe are spreading.

“The disease landscape is uncertain, with sub-optimal vaccination protocols implicated in the persistence of the outbreaks,” it says.

“It remains to be seen whether the disease will remain localised to areas close to current outbreaks, or whether it will continue to spread westwards throughout Germany.

“But following the increased infection pressure in Europe, large jumps in disease, and upcoming movement of passerines [songbirds], the risk of introduction of Newcastle disease into poultry in Great Britain is considered to be raised from ‘low’ to ‘medium’.”

Biosecurity

The importance of vaccination and strict biosecurity were emphasised at the recent NFU Cymru poultry conference on Wednesday (4 March).

David Hodson from Rose Hill Poultry stressed the need for vaccines to be administered correctly.

This includes using the right vaccine, ensuring correct handling, storage and administration, and respecting the correct intervals.

Victoria Shervington-Jones, NFU Cymru poultry board chairman and a Monmouthshire egg producer, said: “Just because we’re coming into the summer months doesn’t mean we can be less vigilant.

“We still need to maintain excellent biosecurity and not let things slide because the sun is shining.”

She advised producers to minimise the number of people allowed in sheds, prevent rainwater ingress, and follow avian influenza guidelines at all times.