An outbreak of the infectious bursal disease in Darla Gewog under Chhukha dzongkhag claimed the lives of 900 poultry birds in less than three weeks. The first case was reported from one of the broiler farms at Chumilakha, earlier this month. The disease is not a zoonotic disease, which means it is not infectious to human. However, it is highly contagious affecting the birds of three weeks to ten weeks of age.
Farm owners at Chumilakha and Rinchentse under Darla Gewog informed the livestock extension centre after some 300 birds died in few days. The officials from the regional livestock development centre in Tsimasham along with the Dzongkhag livestock sector then carried out preliminary investigations.
The post-mortem examinations confirmed that there is an outbreak of the disease in five farms in these two places. The farms were disinfected, carcasses of dead birds were buried and the sale of farm products was also restricted to prevent the spread of the disease.
Meanwhile, with the death of many birds, farmer’s income has been affected. Poultry is one of the main sources of income.
“Its time to sell chickens but we are not able to do so due to the disease. We are into loss now. Until now, our 800 broiler birds have died. Along with officials, we are trying our best to contain the disease,” said Padam Singh Raika, a poultry farm owner in Chumilakha.
“We are disheartened to see our birds dying here. We have no idea from where the disease came here. Doctors have come here to investigate the disease. The outbreak has affected our livelihood,” said Sarbhajit Raika who also owns a poultry farm.
According to officials, there is no report of the death of wild birds as well as poultry birds in the nearby villages. The team is investigating the source of the disease.
Although a similar outbreak happened in Samtse, Chhukha and Sarpang a few years back, the current outbreak is the first case this year.
Darla Gewog is one of the highest progressive poultry farming hub in the country with some 20,000 poultry birds.
Sonam Penjor, Chhukha
