The affected birds are 33-week-old heavy breeders at a farm in Beersheba, Israel. There are four pens of 10,000 birds in each.

Only a drop in lay and no other clinical signs were observed in two of the pens. Since the pens are isolated and the biosecurity is very high it was decided, not to kill the birds.

All the eggs will be destroyed. Laboratory testing of the flock will be done twice a week.

So far, there has been 20,000 confirmed cases, with 40,000 susceptible birds remaining.

Vaccination in response to the outbreak and disinfection of infected premises is underway.

Further Reading Find out more information on Newcastle disease by clicking here.