Strategies of newcastle disease vaccination for commercial ostrich farms in Japan

Strategies of Newcastle disease (ND) vaccination were demonstrated in a commercial ostrich farm in Japan. Three of 13 seven-month-old ostriches kept in a pen were vaccinated with a live ND vaccine by eye dropping for the 1st and 2nd vaccinations and spraying for the 3rd to 5th vaccinations. Antibodies against ND virus (NDV) were detected in all of the unvaccinated ostriches by virus neutralization test. At 2.5 months post final vaccination, 2 ostriches introduced into the pen raised antibodies against NDV. These data indicate that NDV may be transmitted from vaccinated to unvaccinated ostriches in the flock and that the virus may be sustained for a certain period in the flock. These data may be helpful for ND vaccination management in ostrich farms.