Recent reports from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) highlight ongoing challenges for the global poultry sector as Newcastle disease re-emerges across distinct regions. Regulatory authorities and farm operators in both Peru and Spain are managing intensive containment protocols following significant flock infections.
Peru: Massive Commercial Broiler Operation Hit in Arequipa
In Peru, the virus struck a major commercial broiler facility in the southern region of Arequipa, marking the country’s third affected premises and its largest single-flock impact since the virus resurfaced in December 2025.
According to WOAH data, the outbreak came to light after farm operators reported sudden respiratory distress among the birds. Official veterinary services collected samples, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests confirmed the presence of Newcastle disease.
The scale of the affected operation was substantial:
- Total Susceptible Birds: 464,588 broilers
- Direct Mortality: 35,975 birds succumbed to the initial infection
- Commercial Salvage: To mitigate economic losses and curb further spread, the remaining 428,613 healthy broilers in the flock were safely processed and “slaughtered/killed for commercial use” under veterinary supervision.
Sanitary measures implemented at the site include strict quarantine, heightened regional surveillance, movement restrictions, thorough disinfection, and preparations for comprehensive stamping out if required. This latest event brings Peru’s cumulative total of affected birds to over 718,000 since late 2025.
Spain: Ongoing Spread and Depopulation in Santa Maria la Real de Nieva
Meanwhile, Europe continues to combat a wider resurgence of Newcastle disease, with Spain actively managing multiple outbreaks after remaining disease-free from 2022 until late 2025.
The most recent WOAH updates highlight ongoing viral activity centered on Santa Maria la Real de Nieva, part of a broader wave affecting more than 30 flocks nationwide.
In a newly reported incident at a domestic poultry holding in the area:
- Total Flock Size: 35,000 birds
- Direct Mortality: 2,317 birds died before intervention
- Depopulation: The remaining birds in the flock were entirely depopulated to prevent regional amplification.
This case closely follows other localized detections in the same district—including a separate flock of 5,400 birds—underscoring the persistence of the virus. Spanish agricultural authorities have enforced strict perimeter restrictions, trace-back evaluations, and expanded mandatory vaccination protocols across commercial and breeding operations in affected regions to contain further transmission.
