Newcastle disease confirmed at two poultry farms in Hungary’s Vas county

Newcastle disease has been confirmed at two poultry farms in Vas county, western Hungary. Nébih, Hungary’s National Food Chain Safety Office, said tests confirmed the virus on 26 October at a fattening turkey farm near Jákfa, with about 17,000 birds, and a broiler farm near Rábapaty, with around 10,000. Mortality had risen at both farms, prompting the investigations.

Chief veterinary officer Imre Nemes ordered both flocks to be depopulated. Authorities also set up a 3 km protection zone and a 10 km surveillance zone around the farms. The latter covers 30 municipalities, according to Origo. Nébih said depopulation and the epidemiological investigation were under way.

Earlier cases in Bács-Kiskun

The Vas detections follow earlier cases in Bács-Kiskun county. Nébih’s October 27 announcement said the two Vas flocks brought the year’s total to five. Its outbreak register, updated the following day, lists 11 entries for 2026, including entries identified as secondary cases. The available Nébih sources therefore give different totals, so the precise number should be confirmed before publication.

Nébih describes Newcastle disease as a highly contagious viral disease that can spread rapidly among birds and cause serious illness, mortality and economic losses. The authority said it had not been recorded in Hungary for decades before the cases reported in September.

Vaccination and reporting

Preventive vaccination is mandatory for poultry kept for commercial purposes in Hungary. Nébih urged poultry keepers to follow vaccination and disease-control requirements and to report unusual mortality or signs of illness promptly.