Paramyxovirus infection of pigeons is extending to commercial poultry in the E.U. that have not been adequately vaccinated against Newcastle disease.  Currently, there are outbreaks in Austria where both feral and domestic pigeons are infected with clinical signs apparent in affeced backyardchickens.  Avian paramyxovirus-1 strains responsible for Newcastle disease can be distinguished from pigeon paramyxovirus type-1 that emerged in 1981 and spread widely through Asia Minor and the E.U.

When pigeon paramyxovirus infection became apparent in the U.S., from 2014 onwards it was restricted to racing pigeons and did not affect commercial poultry due to the high level of protective immunity in egg-production and breeder flocks stimulated by routine vaccination.  Spread within racing pigeon coops was suppressed as owners learned to vaccinate their birds with both live and inactivated commercial vaccines.