The Negros Occidental provincial government sent a team to Barangay Mabini, Cadiz City, yesterday to avert the spread of Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) that has caused the death of 100 chickens, including fighting cocks, since December.

Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena said the 100 chickens were killed by the outbreak of NDV in Hacienda San Jose, Barangay Mabini, Cadiz City. He reiterated that the deaths were not from the dreaded avian influenza or bird flu.

NDV, commonly known as Avian Pest and locally as "aratay", is a virus already existing in the province, Decena said. A fighting cock from Murcia that was brought to Barangay Mabini in December is believed to be the source of the NDV that hit the 100 chickens, he said.

NDV is a contagious and fatal viral disease affecting most species of birds, especially unvaccinated poultry flocks. NDV is spread primarily through direct contact between healthy birds and the bodily discharges of infected birds. The disease is transmitted through infected birds' droppings and secretions from the nose, mouth, and eyes.

Since it is a viral disease, there is no treatment, but preventive measures can be taken such as vaccinations, Decena said.

Decena said they were informed that the chickens in Mabini had not been vaccinated and they found that two out of three chickens tested had worms. Proper preventive measures are now being taken in Mabini that has a population of about 1,000 chickens to prevent the spread of NDV, he said.

His office has provided medicine such as vitamins and antibiotics to the Cadiz City government as part of its quick response yesterday, he said.

Massive treatment is being conducted, he said, stressing the need for poultry to be vaccinated and dewormed before being transferred to other areas to avoid contamination.*CPG

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