Newcastle disease

noun New·cas·tle disease \ˈnü-ˌka-səl-, ˈnyü-; n(y)ü-ˈ\

Definition of NEWCASTLE DISEASE

: a contagious often fatal virus disease of birds and especially the domestic chicken that is caused by a paramyxovirus (species Newcastle disease virus of the genus Avulavirus) and that is marked by respiratory and nervous symptoms

Origin of NEWCASTLE DISEASE

Newcastle upon Tyne, England

First Known Use: 1927

Medical Dictionary

Newcastle disease

noun New·cas·tle disease \ˈn(y)ü-ˌkas-əl-, n(y)ü-ˈ\

Medical Definition of NEWCASTLE DISEASE

: a contagious mild to fatal virus disease of birds and especially the domestic chicken that is caused by a paramyxovirus of the genus Rubulavirus (species Newcastle disease virus), that is marked by highly variable respiratory, digestive, and nervous clinical signs (as sneezing, coughing, diarrhea, incoordination, tremors, and twitching of the head) and that is especially destructive to young birds although all ages may be attacked—called also pseudoplague