ILT outbreak may force closure of chicken farms

Both broiler and egg producers affected by the infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) outbreak may face closure if the disease spreads. This was confirmed yesterday by the chief veterinary officer in the agriculture ministry, Dr Milton Maseke. This follows after an ILT outbreak, which is an acute respiratory disease of chickens, hit the Waldschmidt egg farm in the Okahandja district where 1 800 chickens have died. Maseke yesterday told Namibian Sun that a team has been sent to the Waldshmidt farm to evaluate the situation. He said that samples will be taken from the farm and that it must first be ruled out that they are not dealing with any other serious disease that can negatively impact the poultry industry such as Newcastle disease. “We must determine if this is not another disease other than ILT which is much more serious.” ILT is not a notifiable disease and producers can control it through vaccination. Maseke said that measures have to be put in place and that tests will also be conducted at surrounding poultry farms to see what the overall situation on the ground is. He said if the disease has spread to other poultry plants as well they will close the facilities while tests are being conducted to determine if it is ILT. Meanwhile, Eckard Waldschmidt from Waldschmidt Eggs, told Namibian Sun that there has been a loss of 1 800 chickens since the outbreak, but everything is under control. He said that they are currently investigating from where the disease may have come from and how it entered the farm, since ILT has never been in Namibia before. Meanwhile, Namibia's largest broiler producer, Namib Poultry Industries (NPI) has also tested for ILT to rule out the possibility that the disease has spread to their plant after the outbreak at the Waldschmidt egg farm. NPI's commercial manager, Pieter van Niekerk told Namibian Sun that they have tested for ILT, but are still awaiting results. “ILT has not been confirmed.”He however stressed that there is no risk for the production of chicken meat. Van Niekerk explained that the disease holds a bigger risk for the breeding cycle of chickens where one loses production. ILT in its acute form can cause gasping, coughing, rattling, and extension of the neck. Reduced productivity is a varying factor in laying flocks. Affected birds are anorectic and inactive and the mouth and beak may be blood-stained.Even after recovery, birds remain carriers of the disease for life and become a source of infection for susceptible birds. The latent virus can be reactivated under stressful conditions. Infection also may be spread mechanically.Furthermore producers should be aware that if one vaccinates while the birds are sick, they will still shed the virus but vaccinating sick birds reduces their potential to shed in the future.

ILT outbreak may force closure of chicken farms

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-02

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ILT outbreak may force closure of chicken farms

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-02

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