KATHMANDU: E. coli infection has been detected in a significant number of poultry raised in Chitwan, according to the National Avian Disease Investigation Laboratory.
The laboratory reported that among 432 chickens tested since the beginning of the current fiscal year, 62 percent were found to be infected with E. coli.
Chief of the office, Dr. Bijay Kumar Shrestha, said the infection was identified through laboratory examination of liver samples collected from dead chickens. He noted that the disease is commonly associated with the use of contaminated water.
In addition, Salmonella infection was detected in five percent of the tested chickens. According to Dr. Shrestha, the disease can spread through contaminated materials, feed, and water.
He stated that negligence in feed and water management by commercial poultry farmers could be a contributing factor to the spread of such infections.
During the testing process, infections such as Avian Influenza, Newcastle disease (Ranikhet), Gumboro disease, Infectious Bronchitis, and Chicken Anemia were also detected.
Out of 94 chickens tested for Avian Influenza, 14 were found positive. Similarly, six out of 35 tested chickens were infected with Ranikhet, while 26 out of 53 tested were found to have Gumboro disease.
Among 18 chickens tested for Infectious Bronchitis, one tested positive. Likewise, 30 out of 92 chickens tested for Chicken Anemia were found to be infected. Chicken Anemia is tested using the ELISA method.
Dr. Shrestha said Ranikhet and Gumboro are viral diseases that spread due to the lack of proper biosecurity measures, urging farmers to adopt strict biosecurity practices.
The laboratory has also begun testing poultry samples using the PCR method. Avian Influenza is tested through samples collected from tracheal swabs, and 14 chickens have been tested using this technique.
He added that the PCR method makes it easier to detect diseases such as bird flu and clarified that no cases of bird flu have been detected in the district so far.
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