Similarity of avian paramyxovirus serotype 1 isolates of low virulence for chickens obtained from contaminated poultry vaccines and from poultry flocks

At present Denmark has the status of a ‘non-vaccinating’ country for Newcastle disease and its poultry population should therefore be free of antibodies to avian paramyxovirus 1 (APMV-1). Three live avian vaccines against infectious bronchitis, avian encephalomyelitis, and chick anaemia which had been found to be contaminated with APMV-1 viruses of low virulence for chickens were examined. The vaccines were produced by the same company and the affected batches had been used in Denmark in 1996/97.