After almost 50 years, Newcastle Disease has been confirmed on a Polish commercial farm keeping hens for slaughter, USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) reports. Three additional outbreaks have been confirmed since the first was reported on July 11, 2023. FAS said Polish veterinary authorities have implemented all necessary disease control measures, including culling of all birds on the infected farms and designation of restricted areas, as required under the EU and Polish legislation.

The World Organization on Animal Health defines Newcastle Disease (ND) as an infection of poultry caused by Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV), which is an avian paramyxovirus serotype 1 (APMV-1). Poland has been free from ND since 1974.

According to FAS, Poland is the largest producer of poultry meat in the European Union (EU) and ranks second in the EU in terms of meat exports. It is also the fourth largest poultry exporter in the world.

FAS relayed that Ukrainian authorities imposed a ban on the import of hatching eggs, live poultry and products, and raw materials derived from poultry from the entire territory of Poland, with the exception of products that have been processed by a method that guarantees the destruction of the NDV.

Belarus also introduced import restrictions for goods originating from Podlaskie province in Poland due to the outbreak.