An Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) outbreak killed about 342 birds in pullet-rearing farm in Toepaisa Gewog, Punakha, earlier this month. This is first such outbreak reported in Punakha.
On August 11, the gewog office was informed of 60 chicks’ death in Gamakha village under Barp Gewog.
The first outbreak in Punakha was reported in Goenmkha village under Toepaisa Gewog on August 4.
The investigation team, along with Regional Livestock Development Centre (RLDC), visited the farm and segregated the infected birds from the rest, while buried the dead ones in proper places.
According to Punakha Veterinary doctor, Sonam Jamtsho, the Infectious Bursal Diseases are highly contagious viral diseases in a young pullet of 2 to 8 weeks old, with a mortality rate as high as 50 percent.
The officials suspect the outbreak could have been spread by chicken feeders brought in to Punakha from Sarpang in around July. However, there is no official confirmation.
For now, the team has issued a ban order restricting the movement of poultry and poultry products from affected poultry farms in Punakha.