Outbreak kills 18 000 chickens
A respiratory disease has struck Namibia's best-known egg producer near Okahandja.
An outbreak of infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) has struck one of the largest egg producers in Namibia.
The disease, which is an acute respiratory disease of chickens, was detected on the Waldschmidt egg farm in the Okahandja district. Preliminary figures indicate that 18 000 chickens were killed.
ILT often causes severe losses in the poultry industry. It is caused by a herpes virus that usually kills 10% to 20% of infected birds, although mortality can run as high as 70% in some cases.
The chief veterinary officer in the agriculture ministry, Dr Milton Masheke, was unable to confirm the outbreak yesterday but pointed out that ILT is not a notifiable disease.
He explained that because producers can control the disease through vaccination it is not necessary them to notify the agriculture ministry about such outbreaks.
Poultry farmers unusually contact a veterinarian for the vaccine and handle the outbreak themselves.
Masheke said it is important for other producers to vaccinate their chickens too, in order to ensure that the disease does not spread.
The chairperson of the Poultry Producers Association, Rene Werner, confirmed ILT outbreak on the Waldschmidt egg farm and said it had not spread to other producers.
He said vaccinations were under way at the farm near Okahandja.
The Waldschmidt family could not be reached for comment.
A meeting was scheduled for yesterday afternoon at the Namibian Agricultural Union to inform poultry producers about the disease and how to control it.
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.
Masheke said Namibia was still importing very limited numbers of poultry products from South Africa after outbreaks of bird flu there.
The outbreaks resulted in Namibia's borders to be closed for poultry imports from South Africa.
Masheke said Namibia had resumed limited imports from very secure areas in South Africa.
“They are still battling with the disease, but have done a commendable job at containing it,” he said.
ELLANIE SMIT
The disease, which is an acute respiratory disease of chickens, was detected on the Waldschmidt egg farm in the Okahandja district. Preliminary figures indicate that 18 000 chickens were killed.
ILT often causes severe losses in the poultry industry. It is caused by a herpes virus that usually kills 10% to 20% of infected birds, although mortality can run as high as 70% in some cases.
The chief veterinary officer in the agriculture ministry, Dr Milton Masheke, was unable to confirm the outbreak yesterday but pointed out that ILT is not a notifiable disease.
He explained that because producers can control the disease through vaccination it is not necessary them to notify the agriculture ministry about such outbreaks.
Poultry farmers unusually contact a veterinarian for the vaccine and handle the outbreak themselves.
Masheke said it is important for other producers to vaccinate their chickens too, in order to ensure that the disease does not spread.
The chairperson of the Poultry Producers Association, Rene Werner, confirmed ILT outbreak on the Waldschmidt egg farm and said it had not spread to other producers.
He said vaccinations were under way at the farm near Okahandja.
The Waldschmidt family could not be reached for comment.
A meeting was scheduled for yesterday afternoon at the Namibian Agricultural Union to inform poultry producers about the disease and how to control it.
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.
Masheke said Namibia was still importing very limited numbers of poultry products from South Africa after outbreaks of bird flu there.
The outbreaks resulted in Namibia's borders to be closed for poultry imports from South Africa.
Masheke said Namibia had resumed limited imports from very secure areas in South Africa.
“They are still battling with the disease, but have done a commendable job at containing it,” he said.
ELLANIE SMIT
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