Phylogenetic analysis of Newcastle disease virus detected in Eritrea between 2017 and 2021

ABSTRACT

Thirty-five samples collected from chickens in 13 commercial farms in Eritrea between 2017 and 2021 following reports of disease were screened for Newcastle disease virus. Seventeen samples (50%) were shown to be positive by RT–PCR. An initial analysis of partial fusion (F) gene sequences of 10 representative samples indicated that the viruses belonged to subgenotype VII.1.1. Subsequently, full F gene sequence analysis of four of these representative samples confirmed the genotype of the viruses but also revealed that they were not identical to each other suggesting different origins of the VII.1.1 subgenotype viruses circulating in Eritrea. These data have implications for the control of Newcastle disease within the poultry population in Eritrea.

KEYWORDS:

• Newcastle disease virus
• poultry
• Eritrea
• phylogenetic analysis
• fusion protein
• subgenotype VII.1.1

Ethical statement

This article does not contain studies with animals performed by any of the authors.

Acknowledgements

The sequences from this study were generated through the Sequencing Services of the Animal Production and Health sub-programme of the Joint Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations/International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Division.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by funds from the IAEA Peaceful Uses Initiative (PUI) VETLAB Network.