February 12, 2008

 

Philippines to combat Newcastle Disease with cheaper remedy

 

An eFeedLink Exclusive 

 

 

The Philippine Bureau of Agricultural Research this month touted the efficacy of a locally developed vaccine which ensures 100-percent immunization of poultry from the Newcastle disease.

 

The project was undertaken by the Department of Agriculture (DA) in the Visayas and the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).

 

Rachel Cadelina, chief of the Biologics Vaccine Production Laboratory, said the local Newcastle vaccine costs PHP1.60 (US$0.039) per dose per head against the imported vaccine which costs PHP2.00 (US$0.049) per dose per head.

 

The vaccine is recommended to all types of chickens, although it is more suggested to layers, breeders due to longer life span compared to broilers.

 

Cadelina ensured that vaccinated poultry is 100 percent protected against Newcastle disease as studies show.

 

The DA in the Visayas region will initially vaccinate most of the upgraded native chicken within the area and later expand it to northern and southern parts of the Philippines.

 

According to reports, the highest mortality cases of Newcastle-infected chicken in the country occurred in the months of April to July last year. DA researchers said that the delay or absence of vaccination causes 90 to 100 percent mortalities among poultry.

 

In the worldwide prevention of Newcastle disease, the key factor is vaccination, Cadelina explained. Other factors which also come into play, including bio-security, good management practices and adequate nutrition.

 

Newcastle disease is a highly contagious disease affecting domestic and wild bird species. It has been first discovered in the East Indies in 1926, but it is named after Newcastle England, where it was rediscovered a year later by in 1927.

 

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