Co-circulation of genotypes XIV.2 and XVIII.2 of avian paramyxovirus-1 (Newcastle disease virus) in backyard poultry in Niger

The causative agent of Newcastle disease (ND) of poultry is the avian paramyxovirus-1, also commonly known as ND virus (NDV). Like in many developing countries, ND is endemic in Niger and has significant economic impact on commercial and backyard poultry production. NDVs were characterized in Niger between 2006 and 2008 and shown to belong to genotypes XIV.1 and XVII. In order to determine the current situation regarding the virus in Niger, tracheas (n = 384) were collected for the detection of NDV from both healthy (n = 335) and sick (n = 49) backyard poultry in 2019. Of these samples, 24 from sick chickens were positive for NDV by conventional RT-PCR. Sequencing of the fusion protein gene and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the viruses belonged to either genotype XIV.2 or XVIII.2. No NDVs of genotype XIV.1 or XVII were identified in the current study highlighting the dynamic nature of NDV circulation in Niger and the region.