According to a report from the OIE, 3 outbreaks of the deadly viral poultry disease Newcastle disease have been reported in Botswana.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) yesterday released an immediate notification report of 3 outbreaks of the disease in the Kgatleng, Central and South-East provinces. A total of 86 cases was reported, with 73 deaths in backyard chickens as well as domesticated pigeons.

According to the report the first cases was already recorded in the middle of September. The reports states that the event is continuing.

The disease was first suspected after backyard chickens showed symptoms corresponding to the disease before dying within a day or 2. The same symptoms were observed in the wild doves and pigeons.

The source of the outbreak is possibly due to contact with wild birdspecies or otherwise unknown factors, the OIE report states.

Botswana’s government has applied movement control inside the country, vaccination in Central Province, surveillance, traceability and disinfection to curb the spread of the disease.

Newcastle disease is infectious to domestic poultry and other bird species and can also be transmitted to humans. Signs of the disease include respiratory distress like a gaping beak, coughing, sneezing, gurgling or rattling, nervous signs like tremors, paralysis and twisting, diarrhoea and depression.

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