APHA marks 100 years of Newcastle disease research in the poultry sector

On September 17, leading scientists, veterinarians and animal health specialists from around the world celebrated the centenary of Newcastle disease research and explored the future of global disease surveillance, control and innovation. This hybrid event brought together internationally recognised experts from the UK, Italy, Spain, Germany, Pakistan and the United States to reflect on a century of scientific progress against a major viral threat.

For the past 100 years, Newcastle disease has remained a significant challenge for the global poultry sector, causing substantial economic losses, impacting food security, and affecting trade and livelihoods worldwide. The centenary event provided a unique platform to review how scientific understanding has evolved since the disease was first identified and to discuss modern research protecting poultry populations.

The gathering at APHA Weybridge, hosted by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Reference Centre for Newcastle Disease, featured presentations from leading international researchers. Key participants included Professor Ian Brown from the Pirbright Institute—who started his research career at APHA over 30 years ago—alongside guest speakers from the US Department of Agriculture, the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Lahore, the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute in Germany, and the EU Reference Laboratory in Italy.

Newcastle disease is a highly infectious viral pathogen affecting birds, particularly poultry. It was first identified in 1926 by T.M. Doyle, an APHA veterinarian investigating a new sickness in chickens on a farm near Newcastle upon Tyne. While significant progress in disease management has been achieved, the milestone event emphasized that ongoing international cooperation and robust surveillance remain vital.

The hybrid conference demonstrated APHA's long-standing contribution to global animal health and its status as an internationally recognized centre of avian disease expertise. Organizers noted that strong partnerships and continued scientific research will be essential to safeguarding animal health and food security for generations to come.