Statements from animal wealth officials in Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar have revealed alarming numbers of poultry deaths and infections, with warnings about the danger of infected birds entering the market.
Mortality Figures and Risks:
Mr. Saleh Bou Mubaraka, Director of the Animal Wealth Department in Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar,confirmed the death of approximately 53,000 birds within just ten days, reflecting the scale of the losses. He indicated that 16 coops were completely destroyed in the Danial area, with other farmers suffering due to a lack of compensation. He warned that the unregulated trade of infected poultry poses a serious risk to breeders and local food security.
Measures and Inspections:
The Department formed joint teams with theVeterinary Health Office and the Agricultural Police for field inspections. Bou Mubaraka explained that any coop found in violation is prohibited from slaughtering or marketing its poultry and is subject to close monitoring. He clarified that the slaughter of infected birds is carried out exclusively with the approval of the Veterinary Health Office and under the supervision of the municipal guard, with poultry confiscated and legal measures taken in case of violation.
Disease Diagnosis and Specific Cases:
For his part,Dr. Rafaa Al-Tawati, Director of the Veterinary Health Office in Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar, during a field visit, revealed that the birds were infected with Newcastle disease and Infectious Bronchitis (IB) viruses. He pointed to the death of about 49,000 birds on two farms he visited. Mr. Saleh Al-Fiqi from the same office reported that inspections recorded the death of about 16,000 birds on a single farm, confirming that the total number of deaths in the area is close to 53,000 birds.
Inspection Findings:
Bou Mubaraka mentioned that inspection teams discovered a coop containing14,000 chickens, of which nearly 8,000 were infected. Samples were taken for autopsy, confirming infection with the Newcastle virus, a highly contagious epidemic disease that causes significant economic losses but is not transmissible to humans.
Systemic Challenges and Calls for Support:
Officials highlighted the lack of necessary resources to fully control the crisis.Al-Tawati emphasized the urgent need for the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Animal Health Center to immediately provide vaccines and veterinary immunizations, ensure feed quality, and carry out culling operations inside coops to prevent the spread of infection.
While Bou Mubaraka praised the supportive role of the General Command of the Armed Forces in providing meat and fodder,he noted that the Ministry and the National Center “lack the capabilities.” Officials unanimously agreed that successful control requires a government emergency budget to secure immunizations, disinfectants, and equipment.
Conclusion and Recommendations:
Bou Mubaraka concluded by emphasizing the continuation of field work and breeder awareness programs,alongside the critical need for urgent government support to prevent the escalation of the epidemic, protect farmers, and ensure the stability and food security of the local market.
