Newcastle disease leaves 9,000 chicken dead in Busia

Busia, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Poultry farmers in Buyengo parish, Dabani sub-county of Busia district have lost more than 9,000 chicken to Newcastle disease.

Newcastle disease is a highly contagious viral disease of all species of birds. It is spread by direct contact with bodily fluids from infected birds and can be carried on shoes, clothing, and equipment. It can cause a variety of signs and kills many of the birds that are infected.

Symptoms of the disease are dullness, dizziness, paralysis of legs and wings, twisting of the neck, difficulty in breathing, green diarrhoea and ultimate death.

Frederick Keffa Wabwire, Hellen Natocho, David Santa, all poultry farmers in Buyengo parish, Dabani sub-county say that they are facing financial constraints to treat their chicken.

They want the Ministry of Agriculture to take preventive measures before the disease spreads to other poultry farms.

Hellen Natocho says that she lost 20 chicken to Newcastle diseases out of 50 chicken.

She appealed to the government to give them financial support so that they can practice modern poultry farming.

Dr Patrick Barasa, the Busia District Veterinary Officer says that they have secured vaccines to treat the Newcastle disease. He adds that they will train farmers on how to vaccinate the birds and the vaccination exercise will be under the supervision of the district veterinary office.

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