Highly Contagious Newcastle Disease Outbreak Hits Berlin Animal Shelter

Strict biosecurity measures are in place after the death of multiple birds, with the shelter limiting public access to prevent further spread.

The Newcastle disease, a highly contagious and often fatal virus for birds, has been confirmed in multiple pigeons at Berlin's animal shelter.
Eleven birds have died since mid-November, with ten testing positive for the virus; additional testing of the shelter's 360 birds is ongoing.
The disease poses no risk to humans but is deadly for birds, prompting mandatory vaccinations for chickens and turkeys in Germany.
Public visits to the shelter now require appointments, and staff have implemented rigorous disinfection protocols to prevent further transmission.
Nearby poultry farms with more than 20 birds are undergoing precautionary inspections to check for symptoms and confirm vaccination compliance.