An outbreak of Newcastle disease (NCD) has been confirmed in Thusi Village Ermelo after the owner of the poultry lost all 22 chickens during October.
More deaths of chicken have occurred there since.
The public is advised not to transport any poultry into or out of the Ermelo area until further notice.
Chickens bought from commercial outlets are, however, considered safe for human consumption.
NCD is a highly contagious and fatal viral disease that affects poultry, pigeons and wild birds. .
Healthy birds become infected when eating food or drin- king water contaminated by the droppings of infected birds.
Poultry also becomes infected by breathing in airborne droplets originating from sick chickens and from carriers.
The disease is also spread by the relocation of poultry, people, equipment and poultry products.
General signs of NCD include rapidly weakening birds that often die without showing any signs and the birds often sit with ruffled feathers.
When laying hens are affected, egg production drops suddenly. The eggs are of poor quality, have soft shells and may also be deformed. The chicken may walk in circles with its head twisted, at times held between its legs.
There is also muscle twitching and paralysis and the bird may present with green diarrhoea and laboured breathing.
The few chickens that survive in turn become carriers and act as a source of infection.
Control measures include quarantine, emergency vaccination, disinfection and burning of chicken litter and carcasses.
There is no treatment for NCD; therefore it is best to destroy the sick chickens.
Poultry owner are advised to wait for at least three months before re stocking the coups or lofts after the control measures have been implemented.
NCD is a controlled disease in South Africa and should be reported immediately to the nearest animal health technician or state veterinarian as soon as its presence is suspected. For further information, contact Dr Ndamase at 017 819 2076 or 017 811 0724.
