1. Poultry Industry in Lebanon

The poultry sector stands as one of the most significant foundations of Lebanese agriculture, providing a key, economical supply of animal nutrition for the local population. With a network of more than ten large-scale integrated producers and about 2,000 commercial poultry farms spread mostly throughout the Bekaa Valley, North Lebanon, and Mount Lebanon, the local chicken market is estimated to be worth $350 million.

• Production of Broiler Meat: Every year, Lebanon produces over 150 million kg of broiler meat.
• Layer Sector: Although it is still susceptible to price fluctuations for imported maize and soybean meal feed bases, the layer industry meets the great bulk of local table egg demand.
• Poultry Meat: Consumption of poultry meat is still substantial, averaging about 30 kilograms per person annually, due to cultural dietary practices and economic changes.
• Table Eggs: According to estimates, each person consumes between 150 and 180 eggs a year, which is consistent with benchmarks from the Eastern Mediterranean region.

2. Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) Brief

In the Middle East, Newcastle Disease has established its endemic presence. Since the middle of the 20th century, when the commercial poultry industry first began to intensify, the virus has been identified as a recurring and chronic danger in Lebanon.

Newcastle Disease (ND) is a highly contagious, devastating avian viral disease capable of causing severe economic losses in the global poultry sector.

NDV remains one of the most destructive viral pathogens affecting the poultry industry globally.

The three main pathotypes of Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) strains in birds are lentogenic (low virulence, mild/no symptoms), mesogenic (moderate virulence), and velogenic (very pathogenic, causing severe respiratory/nervous manifestations and significant mortality).

• Etiology: The disease is caused by virulent strains of Avian Orthoavulavirus 1, family Paramyxoviridae (formerly known as Avian Paramyxovirus 1 or APMV-1). It is an enveloped, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA virus.
• Transmission: The virus spreads via inhalation or ingestion of contaminated secretions. Migratory birds act to introduce new strains into local poultry populations.
• Clinical Signs: Infected birds shows severe respiratory distress, greenish diarrhea, and neurological signs, as torticollis and leg paralysis.
• Pathology: Postmortem examinations typically shows proventricular, cecal tonsils, and intestinal lymphoid patches hemorrhages, in addition to catarrhal tracheitis. The amino acid motif at the viral Fusion (F) protein’s cleavage site is the main factor that determines NDV pathogenicity.

3. Most Prevalent Genotypes and Recent Outbreaks

In Lebanon, the NDV epidemiology environment has changed over time. In the past, regional epidemics were often linked to Genotype VI, which is typically linked to pigeon paramyxoviruses and limited broiler surges. Standard molecular surveillance, however, reveals a significant change in circulating lineages.

Genotype VII is the most common genotype causing recent outbreaks in Lebanon, according to current genetic characterization of field isolates. This is in accordance with the broader epidemiological pattern observed in the Middle East and North Africa, where Genotype VII has gradually replaced older lineages.

• High nucleotide identity with aggressive regional and worldwide Genotype VII strains is revealed by genetic sequencing of isolates collected from commercial layers, broilers, and backyard flocks in areas such the Bekaa Valley (Baalbeck) and Mount Lebanon (Baabda).
• In commercial broiler and layer operations, alarming clinical field data indicate mortality rates ranging from 7.6% to 12.5%. Significant field issues pertaining to potential partial cross-protection mismatches is highlighted by the fact that these outbreaks have happened in flocks after regular, aggressive immunization schedules.

4. Control, Vaccination, and Recommendations

• In an endemic setting like Lebanon, controlling Newcastle Disease necessitates a dual strategy that strikes a balance between strict biosecurity and dynamic, high-titer immunization protocols.
• Wild Bird Exclusion: To stop wild birds or pigeons—which serve as active reservoirs for Genotype VI and VII—from contaminating feed and water, open-house systems must strictly maintain netting and physical obstacles.

• Zoning and Sanitation: Implement strict vehicle disinfection protocols at farm gates and enforce mandatory downtime between production cycles, especially in high-density poultry corridors like the Bekaa Valley.

Vaccination

Live Lentogenic Priming & Boosting: To promote strong local mucosal immunity (IgA) in the respiratory tract, mild live strains (such as Clone 30 or LaSota) are strategically applied in the field by coarse spray or drinking water on days 1 and 14.
Inactivated (Killed) Oil-Emulsion Vaccines: Parental administration of high-antigenic killed vaccines at day-old (for broilers) and pre-lay (for layers/breeders) to maximize uniform, long-lasting circulating humoral antibodies (measured via Hemagglutination Inhibition [HI] titers).
Genotype-Matched Vaccines: Inactivated autogenous or commercial genotype-matched (Genotype VII-based) vaccines can significantly reduce viral shedding and protect flocks against breakthrough mortality because recent isolates are 100% homologous to Genotype VII.

You can view the Vaccine Valley solutions from the link below

https://www.vaccinevalley.com/product-category/poultry/