August 24, 2010

Bhutan poultry farm struck by gumboro

According to reports by the Dzongkhag livestock office in Bhutan, 86 poultry died between 12-17 August, 2010, in a semi-commercial farm belonging to Padam Gautam, Yodseltse geog in Samtse.

Initially, seven deaths were observed on the night of August 12; however, the owner did not report the matter to the concern authorities. On August 15, further 11 birds died in the farm, which came to the notice of Dzongkhag officials who visited the farm to buy eggs. These officials informally informed the Livestock Extension Centre in Yodseltse and subsequently the matter was reported to Dzongkhag Livestock Office in Samtse.

Detail investigation was then carried out by Dzongkhag Livestock staff in Samtse on August 15 and 17. By then, 86 deaths have occurred at the farm. Rapid test for bird flu was carried out in the farm itself which gave a negative result indicating that these deaths were not related to bird flu.

A detail post-mortem was then carried out during the investigation and samples were submitted to National Centre for Animal Health (NCAH) for confirmation of the disease in the farm. Temporary control measures such as isolation of the affected flocks, bio-security and restriction of movement of people from the farm was advised and instituted.

Infectious Bursal Disease (Gumboro) is a viral disease of chicken occasionally reported from poultry farms around Bhutan. The disease was first noticed in early nineties and is most common in young poultry birds; however severe infection can also occur up to 18 weeks in some particular breeds of poultry birds.