Retrospective Study Of Newcastle Disease Cases In Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract

A ten year retrospective study (1990-1999) of the prevalence of Newcastle disease (ND) and other poultry diseases diagnosed at the Poultry Health Clinic of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria was conducted. A prevalence rate of 32.3% (812 cases) was recorded for ND out of 2513 cases of poultry diseases. The highest number of outbreaks of ND was recorded during the dry season (January – March). One hundred and ninety seven (24.3%) cases of ND were recorded in birds within 11-15 weeks age group. Fewer outbreaks of ND were recorded in broilers when compared to layers and local chickens. Only 1 case of ND was recorded in turkeys. Most of the outbreaks of ND (46.7%) were recorded in flocks with 1-80 birds and 23.4% of the outbreaks were recorded in flocks with 51-100 birds. Outbreak of ND was closely associated with age, type and specie of birds, vaccination status, flock size, source of birds and feed. (P<0.05) This study observed that ND outbreak is 3.4 time more likely to occur in December than in November and January. The out breaks of ND were also observed to be 27.47 time more likely to occur in bird of 11- 15 weeks (WK) of age than older age groups It was concluded from the study that ND is more commonly reported in chickens than in other poultry species and farms with large flocks recorded less number of outbreaks of ND in their flocks.

Keywords: Newcastle Disease, Prevalence, Season, Flock Size, Age

Nigerian Veterinary Journal Vol. 27 (3) 2006 pp. 53-62