11.02.2012

University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) scientists have confirmed the presence of Newcastle disease (Ranikhet) in commercial poultry and wild birds.

In a press statement, UVAS Quality Operations Laboratory (QOL) Director Prof Dr Tahir Yaqub said poultry industry, the second largest industry in Pakistan, was facing some disease issues these days which included Newcastle disease (Ranikhet) and Infectious Coryza. He said both these diseases were causing huge economic losses to farmers. Infectious coryza is highly contagious and presents typically as an acute disease of the upper respiratory tract of chickens.

Prof Yaqub said the measurers, including effective vaccination programs, had been taken to control these problems in commercial poultry and wild birds.