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Definition

noun

A disease of domestic fowl and other birds caused by a paramyxovirus of the genus Rubulavirus. The disease affects the respiratory and nervous systems of birds leading to respiratory difficulty, incoordination, tremors, and twitching of the head.

Supplement

The disease of birds and domestic fowls (e.g. chicken) may be transmitted to humans by handling infected birds and result in temporary conjunctivitis.

Word origin: named after Ranikhet, town in northern India.

Synonyms:

• Newcastle disease
• avian pneumoencephalitis
• avian pseudoplague
• Philippine fowl disease

See also: paramyxovirus.