Belize on alert following outbreak of Newcastle Disease in neighbouring Honduras
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| Published on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 |
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BELMOPAN, Belize: The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in Belize has placed its officers on alert following the report this week from Honduras declaring an outbreak of exotic Newcastle Disease in backyard chickens in the Copan Ruins area.
Belize is at the moment free of Newcastle Disease but, given the proximity of Honduras to Belize and the active movement of people and goods between the two countries, the Ministry has stepped up inspections at ports of entries and strengthened surveillance activities, particularly in the southern districts of Stann Creek and Toledo.
Honduras reported an outbreak of Newcastle Disease in native backyard chickens of all ages in Estanzuela Sinai and Copan Ruins, Copan. The outbreak was diagnosed clinically and confirmed by post-mortem and laboratory findings.
The affected birds included 150 chickens, 120 hens and 30 roosters. 1067 other birds were destroyed by Honduran authorities to contain the disease. It is believed that the outbreak was due to the illegal movement of animals. The affected village is quite close to Guatemala.
Control measures implemented by Honduras include movement control, quarantine, stamping out and vaccination.
Newcastle Disease can cause high mortality in chickens with sick birds showing respiratory signs, swollen heads and/or nervous signs. In layer chickens, there may be as well a drop in production and eggs produced may be deformed.
It is not possible to tell the difference between Newcastle Disease and Avian Influenza in sick birds, thus all suspect cases are routinely checked in the laboratory for both diseases.
The Ministry of Agriculture has advised all poultry producers to strengthen the preventative measures at their farms. Farmers have been asked to ensure that the vaccination of their birds is current, to prevent contact of their chickens with wild birds and to ensure that any material such as used chicken crates and equipment that is brought to their farms are cleaned and disinfected. | | | | Reads : 452 | | | |
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