Prevalence of Newcastle Disease Virus in Pakistan, its present status and future challenges

Abstract

Newcastle disease is caused by Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) leads to severe morbidity and mortality in poultry throughout the world and considered as lentogenic, mesogenic or velogenic based on the mean death of the chicken embryo. The NDV velogenic strain is deadly endemic in Pakistan. Poultry is considered as the second major industry in Pakistan having annual growth of 8-10%. Unfortunately, the increase of NDV cases leads to severe cost impact, loss of production and livelihood. This review highlights the current status and epidemiology of NDV in Pakistan. Various genotypes and sub-genotypes have been identified in Pakistan. Various ND cases have been reported in Pakistan which has very bad consequences on the economy and dealing of poultry products.