KEY NOTES ON NEWCASTLE DISEASE ( RANIKHET DISEASE) VACCINES
Chickens are susceptible to many infectious diseases. One of the most important of these is the viral disease known as Newcastle disease, which causes devastating losses in both commercial and village chickens. Reducing losses of large numbers of village chickens to virulent Newcastle disease is an essential first step to improving their productivity. Newcastle disease can be controlled by the use of vaccines. There are many Newcastle disease vaccines suitable for use in commercial chickens. These are available on the international market. The I-2 Newcastle disease vaccine has been developed for local or regional production and use in controlling Newcastle disease in village chickens.
Many Newcastle disease vaccines deteriorate after storage for one or two hours at room temperature. This makes them unsuitable for use in villages where the vaccine may need to be transported for hours or in some cases days at ambient temperature. The I-2 Newcastle disease vaccine is more robust and is known as a thermostable vaccine. Thermostable vaccines still require long-term storage in the refrigerator. However during transportation of the vaccine to the field, the vaccine will not deteriorate as quickly as the traditional vaccines. Evaporative cooling provided by wrapping the vaccine in a damp cloth will be adequate for maintaining the viability of the vaccine during transportation to remote villages. However if it is stored in direct sunlight or allowed to reach high temperatures (above 37°C) for more than a few hours it too will deteriorate and be unsuitable for use as a vaccine.
Immunity to Newcastle disease virus
Chickens that survive infection with virulent Newcastle disease virus develop a long lasting immunity to further infection with Newcastle disease virus.
The basis of this immunity is:
- Circulating antibodies.
- Secreted antibody producing mucosal immunity.
- Cell mediated immunity.
Newcastle disease virus of low virulence induces similar immune responses without causing severe disease. This is the basis of vaccination.
Live vaccines:
These vaccines are made with virus that is alive and able to infect cells. Strains of virus of low or moderate virulence are used. They mimic natural infection and induce all three immune responses.
Killed vaccines:
The ability of the virus to infect cells has been destroyed by treatment with a chemical, radiation or heat. These vaccines invoke only a circulating antibody response.
Some vaccine strains of Newcastle disease virus:
Strains of Newcastle disease virus have been broadly classified into four pathotypes as follows:
Avirulent Causes no disease
Lentogenic Low virulence, low mortalities, loss of egg production
Mesogenic Moderate virulence, mortalities up to 50 percent, loss of egg production
Velogenic High virulence, severe disease with high mortalities.
Many strains of Newcastle disease virus other than velogenic strains are used in the production of live vaccines. Eight of these strains are listed in Table 1.
Table 1: Eight strains of Newcastle disease virus used in live vaccines
Strain Description
F Lentogenic. Usually used in young chickens but suitable for use as a vaccine in chickens of all ages.
B1 Lentogenic.
Slightly more virulent than F, used as a vaccine in chickens of all ages.
La Sota Lentogenic.
Often causes post vaccination respiratory signs, used as a booster vaccine in flocks vaccinated with F or B1.
V4 Avirulent.
Used in chickens of all ages.
V4-HR Avirulent. Heat Resistant V4, thermostable, used in chickens of all ages.
I-2 Avirulent. Thermostable, used in chickens of all ages.
Mukteswar Mesogenic. An invasive strain, used as a booster vaccine. Can cause adverse reactions (respiratory distress, loss of weight or drop in egg production and even death) if used in partially immune chickens. Usually administered by injection.
Komarov Mesogenic. Less pathogenic than Mukteswar, used as booster vaccine. Usually administered by injection.
Thermostable Newcastle disease vaccines
Thermostable Newcastle disease vaccines exhibit a relative resistance to inactivation on exposure to elevated temperatures. Strains of Newcastle disease virus vary in thermostability.
Thermostable vaccines are prepared from a strain of Newcastle disease virus that retains its ability to infect cells after storage outside a cold chain for a short period of time.
There are two basic processes used to produce a thermostable Newcastle disease vaccine.
- Isolation of naturally occurring thermostable variants of the virus.
- Increasing the thermostability of this variant by artificial selection in the laboratory.
A seed lot system is used to produce the vaccine. The sequential use of a master seed and a working seed minimizes the number of passages to produce a vaccine and maintains the genetic stability of the vaccine virus. The antigenicity and the thermostability of the virus in the master seed should be retained during the two passages that produce the working seed and then the vaccine.
Directions For Use
For Intranasal Or Intraocular Vaccination (1,000 Dose Bottles Only)
These Newcastle Disease Vaccines accompanied by diluent are recommended for the vaccination of healthy chickens one day of age or older. - Rehydrate 1 vial of vaccine with 1 vial of diluent.
- Remove seal and stopper from vaccine and diluent vials. Avoid contamination of stoppers and contents.
- Add diluent to half-fill the vaccine vial. Replace stopper and shake until contents are dissolved.
- Pour the rehydrated vaccine into the diluent container. Replace stopper and shake.
- Remove stopper and fit drop-dispenser tip into diluent container.
- To vaccinate intranasally, place finger over one of the bird’s nostrils and place 1 drop of vaccine in the other nostril. Do not release bird until vaccine has been inhaled.
- To vaccinate intraocularly, place 1 drop of vaccine in the eye.
For Drinking-water Vaccination
These Newcastle Disease Vaccines are recommended for the vaccination of healthy chickens 2 weeks of age or older. - Discontinue use of medications or sanitizing agents in the drinking water 24 hours before vaccinating. Do not resume use for 24 hours following vaccination.
- Water used for the drinking-water administration of a live virus vaccine must be non-chlorinated.
- Provide enough waterers so two-thirds of the birds may drink at one time. Scrub waterers, with fresh, clean, non-chlorinated water, and use no disinfectant. Let the waterers drain dry.
- Turn off automatic waterers, so the only available water is the vaccine water. Do not give vaccine water through medication tanks.
- Withhold water for 2 hours before vaccinating. Do not deprive the birds of water if the temperature is extremely high.
- Remove seal from vaccine vial.
- Remove stopper and half-fill with clean, cool, non-chlorinated water.
- Replace stopper and shake until dissolved.
- Use a clean container two-thirds filled with cool, clean, non-chlorinated water.
Add dried skim milk at a rate of _ per of the final volume of vaccine solution
1,000 doses 1 ounce (28.4 grams) 2.5 gallons (9.5 liters)
2,500 doses 3.1 ounces (89 grams) 6.25 gallons (24 liters)
5,000 Doses 10 ounces (142 grams) 12.5 gallons (47.5 liters)
10,000 Doses 12.5 ounces (355 grams) 25 gallons (95 liters)
Stir the mixture until the dried milk is dissolved. - Add the rehydrated vaccine from the vial and again stir the contents thoroughly.
- Next, add the mixture to the final volume of water, as follows:
Add this amount of vaccine To this final volume of water
for chickens 2 to 8 weeks old for chickens over 8 weeks old
1,000 doses 2.5 to 5 gallons
(9.5 to 19 liters) 5 to 10 gallons
(19.0 to 38 liters)
2,500 doses 6.25 to 12.5 gallons
(24 to 48 liters) 12.5 to 25 gallons
(48 to 95 liters)
5,000 doses 12.5 to 25 gallons
(48 to 95 liters) 25 to 50 gallons
(95 to 190 liters)
10,000 doses 25 to 50 gallons
(95 to 190 liters) 50 to 100 gallons
(190 to 380 liters) - Give 1 dose of vaccine per bird.
- Distribute the final volume of vaccine water evenly among the clean waterers. Do not place the waterers in direct sunlight. Resume regular water administration only after all the vaccine water has been consumed.
For Spray Vaccination
These Newcastle Disease Vaccines may be used for the revaccination of healthy chickens 4 weeks of age or older by spraying the vaccine solution above the chickens. A sprayer that delivers a coarse spray quickly and evenly is recommended. - Remove seal from a vial of vaccine.
- Remove the stopper and half-fill vial with cool, distilled water.
- Replace stopper and shake until vaccine is in solution.
- Pour rehydrated vaccine into a clean container and add cool, distilled water per chart below and shake thoroughly.
Doses of rehydrated vaccine Volume of cool, distilled water
1,000 Doses 100 mL
2,500 Doses 250 mL
5,000 Doses 500 mL
10,000 Doses 1,000 mL - Apply at the rate of 100 mL rehydrated vaccine per 1,000 doses as outlined below:
Volume of rehydrated vaccine Number of doses to be administered
100 mL 1,000 Doses
250 mL 2,500 Doses
500 mL 5,000 Doses
1,000 mL 10,000 Doses - Place the vaccine solution in the sprayer canister, set the discharge control at “low” and walk through the house, spraying at the rate of 1,000 birds per minute. Direct the spray above the heads of the birds.
- Whatever volume of vaccine solution is used in the sprayer, take care to administer 1 dose per 1 bird. See chart below:
Number of doses of vaccine Will vaccinate this number of birds
1,000 Doses 1,000 birds
2,500 Doses 2,500 birds
5,000 Doses 5,000 birds
10,000 Doses 10,000 birds - This spray method of vaccination should be employed in poultry houses where air movement can be reduced to a minimum. Before spraying the vaccine solution, close the house and shut off mechanical ventilation. Maintain these conditions both during spraying and for 20 minutes afterwards.
- Wear goggles and a face mask while spraying.
- Any sprayer used for application of a live virus vaccine should be used for no other purpose.
Precautions
If possible, vaccinate all susceptible birds on the premises at the same time. For 10 to 14 days after vaccinating, avoid carrying vaccine particles on shoes, clothing, etc., into areas where there are unvaccinated birds.
Newcastle Disease Vaccine virus is capable of causing a mild, irritating eye infection in humans, lasting about 3 days. Do not allow vaccine to contact the eyes.
Contains gentamicin as a preservative.
Newcastle Disease Vaccine, B1 Type, LaSota Strain, Live Virus Caution
This product should be stored, transported, and administered in accordance with the instructions and directions.
Storage
Vaccine should be stored below 8oC( eight) preferably in the deep freeze. Diluent may be stored at room temperature (prefered to be stored in cold room). Protect the vaccine from light Vaccine should be shipped on ice during cool hours of the day by road or air.
Reconstitution
Store the diluent supplied with the vaccine in the refrigerator overnight, before use. Diluent has to be chilled before use. Using 20 G 11/2 inch needle and 2m) syringe withdraw small amount of prechilled diluent and transfer it to the vaccine vial. Suspend the vaccine pellet in the diluent by shaking the vaccine vial moderately. Using the same syringe withdraw the diluted vaccine and transfer to the diluent bottle. Rinse the vaccine vial twice with the diluent vaccine and transfer the same to the diluent bottle. Mix the final vaccine by gentle inverting the diluent bottle several times.
Precautions
Consult poultry expert/veterinarian regarding vaccination schedule and use of vaccine.
Examine the diluent bottle before mixing for any abnormal changes such as colour, turbidity or foreign body. If so do not use this particular diluent bottle.
The vaccine is a live viral vaccine so it should be transported, stored and reconstituted as directed above.
Do not mix the diluent and the vaccine till all other preparations are ready.
Gently agitate the vaccine frequenlly during vaccination
Use entire content. Do not store the leftover vaccine after reconstitution.
Do not use unsterile vaccination equipments. Chemical disinfectants should not be used for sterilisation of vaccination equipment.
Reconstituted vaccine should be use immediately. Keep the vaccine on ice during use.
Burn and destroy the used container with the leftover vaccine.
Vaccinate only healthy chicks (do not vaccinate the sick or under stress chicks) and keep the vaccinated chicks comfortable.
If accidently injected into Human Being urgent medical attention is required.
FAQ ON RD VACCINE
Frequently Asked Questions on Newcastle Disease
- What are the strains used for primary vaccination in Newcastle disease (Ranikhet disease)?
There are 3 strains viz. Asplin/ F, Hitchner B1 and V4 strains that are used for primary vaccination - Which is the best strain for priming in Newcastle disease?
Asplin/ F strain is superior to use as primary vaccine based on Intra Cerebral Pathogenicity Index (ICPI) as ICPI of Asplin/ F is 0.25, Hitchner B1 is 0.20 and V4 is 0.00 - What are the strains used for booster vaccination in Ranikhet disease?
LaSota, R2B and Inactivated vaccines are used for booster vaccination in Ranikhet disease - What should be the order of usage of different strains of Ranikhet disease?
Different strains of RD should be used in the following order at different ages in periodic order:
F –> LaSota –> R2B –> Inactivated vaccines - How different strains of Ranikhet disease are classified?
F – Mild lentogenic
LaSota – Modesto lentogenic
R2B – Mesogenic - Is it necessary to use R2B vaccine before the use of Inactivated Newcastle disease vaccine?
Yes, it is necessary. R2B (Mukteshwar) strain is the one which has controlled vvND in India - Live vaccines are stored at temperature 2º-8º C. Can they be stored at freezing temperature (below zero)?
Normally live vaccines are stored at 2-8oC temperature, if they are stored for a short time upto 15 days. For longer storage live vaccines should be stored at freezing temperature (below zero) - What is the ideal temperature for the storage of Inactivated vaccines?
Inactivated vaccines should be stored at 2-8oC - Can Inactivated vaccines be stored at freezing temperature?
No, they should not be stored at freezing temperature as freezing temperature will break the oil-in-water emulsion of inactivated vaccines - Is Ranikhet disease, a disease of poultry only or it can affect other avian species?
Pigeons are normal carriers of Paramyxovirus-I strain of Newcastle disease virus. Similarly, other avian species are also carriers of Ranikhet disease virus. In India, hot and humid climate favors the survival of Newcastle disease virus in other avian species - What is the age at which Ranikhet disease can occur in poultry?
It strikes birds of all ages, mostly birds of more than 2 weeks of age. There is no upper age limit for Ranikhet disease - If serum antibody titers are high, can Newcastle disease strike in those birds?
High serum antibody titers against Ranikhet disease can be achieved after the repeated usage of killed (Inactivated Newcastle disease vaccines). In such birds Ranikhet disease can occur. For complete prevention, local immunity in the upper respiratory tract (Harderian gland and trachea) and digestive tract is a must. This is possible only by systematic usage of Asplin/ F followed by LaSota, R2B and then Inactivated Ranikhet disease vaccine. In the control of Newcastle disease local immunity, cell mediated immunity and humoral immunity play role - In which disease of poultry torticollis (twisted neck) is seen?
Torticollis is mostly seen as important clinical sign in Ranikhet disease - Are R2B and Komarov strain of the same category?
Yes, both of them are mesogenic strains. R2B has an Intra Cerebral Pathogenicity Index (ICPI) of 1.40 and Komarov has an ICPI of 1.41 - Is it necessary to use LaSota vaccine during lay, particularly in extreme summer months?
Yes, it is necessary. Summer is highly immunosuppressive. Periodic use of LaSota in drinking water builds up local, cell mediated and humoral immunity - What are the protective titers in Ranikhet disease as ND HI log2?
In different age groups, protective titers for Newcastle disease are different to maintain health and production. Following minimum titers should be maintained as ND HI log2:
In chicks – >3
In growers – > 4
In production flock – > 6
Dr.Deepak Sinha,Poultry consultant
Reference:On request
