August 15, 2011

Thai poultry sector still not free of diseases

Recent reports of poultry diseases with similar symptoms to ND have caused concern even after the Thai poultry sector was certified free of the disease this year by the OIE, an official in the Livestock and Development Department said.

"Our inspection found some chickens suffered from bronchitis, but that might not be because of Newcastle Disease," he said.

The disease is now contained, but farmers are urged to vaccinate chicks at 1-7 days, 21 days and every three months. A continuity vaccination at about two years is an option, and the OIE could clear the country of the diseases if there was no detection for five years.

Avian influenza crippled the poultry industry in Thailand in 2004, but no cases have been detected for two years.