November 11, 2009

New outbreak of Newcastle disease threatens Honduran poultry industry

Honduras veterinary authorities have sent an Immediate Notification to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about a new case of Newcastle disease in a layer flock.

The veterinary authority sent an Immediate Notification dated November 2 to OIE.

The report describes a new outbreak of Newcastle disease, which started on October 23 in a layer flock in Cucuyagua in Copan state in the far west of the country.

The farm has 11,000 layer hens in two groups: one of 6,000 birds at 52 weeks of age and at the production phase and the other of 5,000 birds, which were 23 weeks old and described as 'at the end of the breeding stage'. In all, 10,200 birds were affected, 6,500 died and the rest of the flock was destroyed.

Around 15,000 birds in backyard poultry flocks in the surrounding area have now been vaccinated.