The Green Mountain region in Libya is facing a worsening state of emergency after the outbreak of Newcastle virus among poultry, which has so far caused the death of around 116,000 chickens, according to Faraj Al-Okli, head of the Farmers and Breeders Union.
Al-Okli explained that the Animal Health Center tested 96 samples from various poultry farms during the first week of December, with results confirming 18 infections — a rate of nearly 20%. He stressed that cases are rising steadily and described the virus as “spreading at a frightening speed,” noting that even advanced countries struggle to contain it.
He attributed the rapid spread to several factors, including lack of vaccinations, poor feed quality, weak awareness among breeders, and limited field monitoring by relevant authorities.
Al-Okli appealed to the Libyan government, the General Command, and all state institutions to provide urgent support to this vital sector and stand by breeders to contain what he described as a “catastrophic situation.”
He added that monitoring teams have halted any attempts to slaughter or market infected birds, with the Public Prosecutor’s Office taking immediate action against violations to safeguard citizens’ food security.
