Lithuania warns poultry farmers over Newcastle disease outbreak in Latvia

Lithuania’s State Food and Veterinary Service (VMVT) has issued an urgent warning to poultry farmers after a commercial flock in neighbouring Latvia tested positive for Newcastle disease, LRT reports.

The outbreak was confirmed in a commercial poultry farm near the Latvia-Lithuania border, raising concerns over potential cross-border transmission. Authorities stress that the risk of the virus spreading to Lithuania remains high.

To prevent infection, the VMVT urges strict biosecurity measures, including isolating domestic birds from wild populations, disinfecting equipment and footwear, and restricting farm access to essential personnel only. The virus can spread not only through migrating wild birds but also via contaminated vehicles, tools, or clothing.

Vaccination is also recommended as a key preventive tool. While voluntary in Lithuania, it has been adopted by commercial farms to curb outbreaks. This year, the disease has been most prevalent in Poland (95 cases) and Germany (61), with additional outbreaks reported in the Czech Republic (25), Spain (7), and Slovakia (1). Lithuania recorded a single case in February in a Vilnius-district farm housing over 40 birds.