Virulent Newcastle disease

Common card · No. 485720

Virulent Newcastle disease (VND), formerly exotic Newcastle disease, is a contagious viral avian disease affecting many domestic and wild bird species; it is transmissible to humans. Though NDV may infect humans, most cases are non-symptomatic; and though rare, NDV can cause a mild fever and influenza-like symptoms and/or conjunctivitis in humans. Its effects are most notable in domestic poultry due to their high susceptibility and the potential for severe impacts of an epizootic on the poultry industries. It is endemic to many countries. No treatment for VND is known, but the use of prophylactic vaccines and sanitary measures reduce the likelihood of outbreaks. The disease is caused by Newcastle disease virus (NDV), an avulavirus. Clinical trials using Newcastle disease virus to treat cancer in humans are ongoing as the virus appears to preferentially infect and kill cancerous cells. Strains of Newcastle disease virus have also been used to create viral vector vaccine candidates against...

Read on Wikipedia · Image Dr. Peter Hooper, CSIRO, CC BY 3.0