A hitherto unreported paramyxovirus of turkeys

A newly isolated avian virus is described which was obtained from a flock of laying turkey hens with respiratory disease and accompanying egg production drop. Characterisation of the virus indicated it to be of the paramyxovirus group and to be related through antigenic crossing with Newcastle disease virus. Examination of turkey sera from five separate flocks indicated natural infection with the paramyxovirus to be relatively widespread. Experimental infection of turkeys produced only mild respiratory disease.