Avian pest kills 9,000 chickens, birds

By Freddie G. Lazaro

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte – Over 9,000 chickens and other bird species have been killed by Newcastle disease virus, the Provincial Veterinary Office said as it has intensified surveillance and close monitoring in the entire province to prevent the spread of the disease or avian pest here.

Dr. Loida Valenzuela, the provincial veterinary officer, said avian disease reported in Ilocos Norte is avian pest or Newcastle disease and “not an avian flu.”

The veterinary office has intensified information and education campaign (IEC) and enjoined poultry owners and fighting cock breeders to maintain cleanliness and stringent sanitation standards.

Valenzuela urged the poultry and fighting cocks’ raisers to disinfect their farms to prevent the entry of the avian pest.

To further ensure the health of the chicken and fighting cocks in the province, she added that there’s a need also to have the fowls vaccinated against Newcastle disease.

She said that giving vitamin supplementation to the chicken is also necessary to strengthen their immune system.

She warned the public to avoid too much exposure to the chicken infected with avian pest because it can be rapidly transferred from one place to another place through contact with infected personal belongings.

The Provincial Veterinary Office earlier reported  over 9,000 chickens and other bird species have been killed by the Newcastle disease virus.

Dr. Loida Valenzuela, PVO head, identified the towns affected by the NDV pest as Pagudpud, Burgos, Bangui, Dingras, Marcos, Banna, and Badoc.

She reported the initial deaths of at least 9,462 heads of bird species comprised of native chickens, fighting cocks, and turkeys.

“Most of the death of chickens was due to avian pest in the province were raised through backyard growing,” she said.

To control the spread of the virus, Valenzuela advised the local poultry raisers to subject to vaccination their healthy or unaffected chickens.

“For those affected farms, the raisers are advised to boost the immune system of their chicken through vitamin supplementation; and segregation of the affected chicken from the unaffected one,” she said.