Evaluation of Prophylaxis Schemes as Applied to Modern Poultry Farming in Mali: The Case of Gumboro Disease, Newcastle Disease and Internal Parasitic Infections

Abstract

This study was conducted in 2003-2007 and involved 22 modern semi-industrial poultry farms (layers) located in the suburban areas of Bamako District and of Sikasso and Segou towns. It was found out that in 1163 layers, the global post- vaccination immunity level was 93.9 % for Newcastle Disease with 89, 6 %, 92.3% and 96.3 % in Segou, Sikasso and Bamako respectively. However, for Gumboro Disease, an overall immunization coverage of 50.5 % was obtained in layers with variations depending on the sites (40.7% in Sikasso, 64.0% in Segou and 49 9% in Bamako). Examination of 89 fecal samples collected in poultry farms in Bamako District peri-urban area showed internal parasites in 23 cases ( 25.8%), and species identified were Ascaridia gallii (EPG values ranging from 50 to 100) and Eimeria spp. (EPG value equal to 50). In addition, analysis of 28 fecal samples collected from farms in Segou identified 5 cases of infection (17.8%) with very high parasite loads for Heterakis with an EPG value of 1600 eggs/g of faeces and Ascaris (1300 eggs/g of feces). Out of 34 fecal samples collected in layer farms in Sikasso, 3 (8.8 %) contained coccidia (50 eggs/g of faeces). The study showed that in semi-industrial poultry farms, layers are inadequately immunized against Gumboro disease and markedly better immunised against Newcastle Disease. It also shows that deworming patterns in most farms are inadequate.

Keywords: Poultry farming; Prophylaxis schemes; Diseases; Mali