Annex III DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES FOR THE CONFIRMATION AND DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF NEWCASTLE DISEASE

The following procedures for the isolation and characterization of Newcastle-disease viruses should be regarded as guidelines and the minima to be applied in the diagnosis of the disease.

The virus responsible for Newcastle disease is the prototype virus of the Paramyxoviridae. At present, there are nine serologically distinguishable groups of Avian Paramyxoviruses, which have been designated PMV-1 to PMV-9. All Newcastle disease viruses are placed in the PMV-1 group. For the purpose of the diagnostic procedures for the confirmation and differential diagnosis of Newcastle disease the following definition shall apply:

‘Newcastle disease’ means an infection of poultry caused by any avian strain of the paramyxovirus 1 with an intracerebral pathogenicity index (ICPI) in day-old chicks greater than 0,7.