Why the Newcastle Virus is Hard to Cure in Broiler Chickens

Viral diseases, regardless of the species affected, tend to be highly challenging to cure. The development of effective antiviral drugs is limited, and this is even more evident in the context of veterinary medicine. In most viral diseases, whether affecting humans or animals, the patient either manages to fight off the disease on its own with supportive care or succumbs to the illness.

The Economics of Finding a Cure

Identifying and developing a cure for a viral disease often requires substantial investment, potentially reaching millions of dollars. This makes it financially unattractive for pharmaceutical companies, as they need to see a potential market and profitability in return for their research and development efforts. Therefore, in industries such as broiler production, where the profit margins are slim, the likelihood of discovering and providing a cure remains low.

The Challenges of Broiler Production

Broiler production is an industry characterized by low profit margins. Each individual bird has a relatively low monetary value, and the quick turnaround time from hatching to market makes it difficult to justify the costs of treating an entire flock. Newcastle disease (ND) is a highly contagious virus that can spread rapidly to most of the flock by the time it is recognized. Even if a cheap curative drug were developed, the associated costs could be significant: purchasing medication and then treating an entire flock would be expensive. Additionally, the chickens would need to be kept alive for several days to clear the drug from their systems, potentially delaying their market sale and erasing any potential profits.

The Role of Vaccination

Fortunately, there is a vaccine available for Newcastle disease that can be administered to chicks. However, since broiler chickens are typically processed for food before they reach ten weeks of age, it is unlikely that they would contract the virus during this critical period. This vaccine provides a proactive and effective method for controlling the virus, reducing the likelihood of outbreaks and the subsequent economic losses.

Conclusion

While the Newcastle virus poses significant challenges in the broiler industry, the development and implementation of preventative measures, such as vaccines, offer a path to minimizing the impact of this disease. By focusing on both treatment and prevention, the industry can better protect its birds and maintain profitability.

Keywords: Newcastle virus, Broiler chickens, Antiviral drugs