Newcastle disease in ostriches (Struthio camelus): field case and experimental infection

An outbreak of Newcastle disease (ND) in ostriches is described. In a flock aged 5 to 9 months of age 13 out of 46 ostriches died, whereas a neighbouring flock of 11-month-old birds remained unaffected. The main clinical signs were nervous. Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titres reached log(2) 8. The virus was isolated from the brain only. Experimental infection of five, 3-month-old ostriches with virulent ND virus caused the death of three birds within 5 to 10 d. Another had to be killed after showing typical signs. HI titres after 5 days exceeded log(2) 5. The virus could be reisolated from different organs.