Agriculture Minister Osmar Benitez blamed a lack of producer follow-up to the poultry vaccination program as the reason for the outbreak of Newcastle disease virus in areas of the central Cibao region, primarily Espaillat province. He referred to the protocols established through the livestock bureau at the Ministry of Agriculture that have been effective in reducing poultry diseases.
He denied there was an outbreak of Avian influenza. He explained that both diseases are flus that affect the chicken during its development, with loss of appetite and in very extreme cases the death of the chicken.
The Minister said that both diseases have been present in the country for years, but that thanks to the monitoring of vaccination programs, they can be controlled.
Benítez asked producers to strictly adhere to the international vaccination protocol established for chicken production, which starts from the second day of birth, then 14 days, and in some cases 21 days.
In the case of the chickens, Benítez said there are more than 7 million breeders in the country, and that only 20,000 chickens have been lost due to the outbreak. The Association of Egg Producers (Asohuevo), nevertheless, estimated small producer losses at RD$500 million. Around 30% of the 18 million chickens have died of the Newcastle virus, says Ambiórix Cabrera, president of the Moca and Licey al Medio Poultry Producer Association (Approamoli).
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8 January 2020