Avian pest kills 25,000 chickens in La Union

By Jun Elias 

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – At least 25,000 chickens have died due to newcastle disease or avian pest, the provincial veterinary office said Tuesday.

Provincial veterinarian Nida Gapuz said a majority of the infected birds were fighting cocks and native chicken from backyard poultry farms. 

“Commercial chicken is not affected,” Gapuz said. 

She said they are conducting mass vaccination of chicken in areas that have not been affected by the disease. She advised the public against eating chicken infected with avian pest.

In the Cordillera, the Department of Agriculture asked concerned government agencies to submit weekly reports and updates regarding the disease. The DA also provided medicine and vaccines.