African Farmers Urged to Vaccinate Poultry Against Newcastle Disease
WESTERN CAPE - Western Cape Agriculture MEC Cobus Dowry has appealed to poultry farmers to vaccinate their flocks against the Newcastle disease.Mr Dowry said although the disease in the province had only caused isolated poultry mortalities in Murraysburg, Knysna and Napier, there was no reason to be over-confident.
He said he was concerned especially about the risk posed by non-vaccinated poultry to large commercial poultry units and the ostrich industry.
The province is a major exporter of ostrich meat in the world and a major supplier of poultry meat to Namibia and other Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries.
It is usually this time of the year when culled laying hens from poultry units are offered for sale.
"These birds are popular with some consumers to compliment their preparations for the festive season but they also pose a risk due to the increase in movement from possible infected farms," he said.
The MEC emphasised that it was essential and legally obligatory to notify any suspicion of the disease to the nearest state veterinarian or animal health technician.
Source: AllAfrica
18 November 2005
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