October 6, 2005

Botswana hit by Newcastle disease

Botswana's government reported that domestic poultry has recently been hit by Newcastle disease in many areas. So far, the disease has been found in the Lobatse, Mochudi, Jwaneng, Gaborone, Serowe, Selebi-Phikwe, Bob-onong, Molepolole and Letlha-keng areas.

The government said the disease might also have struck other areas and that most of the reported cases involved backyard chickens, which were not regularly vaccinated. However, some commercial poultry facilities have also been hit.

Farmers were urged by the government to vaccinate their chickens against Newcastle disease. They were also advised to refrain from accepting chickens from unknown sources or moving chickens without a permit, as this might cause the disease to spread into their areas.

Meanwhile, the government had already restricted live poultry and poultry product deliveries in many affected areas. The public was also urged to cooperate in containment efforts.