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28/09/2026

🐔🚨 NEWCASTLE DISEASE IN POULTRY — THE SILENT FLOCK DESTROYER

Newcastle disease (ND) is one of the most important and highly contagious viral diseases affecting chickens and many other bird species worldwide.

It can cause respiratory disease, neurological disorders, digestive disturbances, severe production losses and very high mortality, particularly in susceptible, unvaccinated
birds.
Learn with 🩵🤍💛💜💙📲🌍✅️

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Newcastle disease cannot be confirmed reliably from clinical signs alone. Diseases such as highly pathogenic avian influenza can look very similar, so laboratory confirmation is essential during a suspected outbreak.

🦠 CAUSATIVE AGENT

Newcastle disease is caused by virulent Avian paramyxovirus type 1 (APMV-1), now classified within the genus Orthoavulavirus.

The severity depends on the virus strain, bird age, immunity, vaccination status, concurrent infections and environmental conditions.

Major pathogenic patterns include:

🔹 Lentogenic — usually mild respiratory disease
🔹 Mesogenic — respiratory disease with possible neurological signs
🔹 Velogenic neurotropic — severe respiratory and neurological disease
🔹 Velogenic viscerotropic — severe systemic and intestinal disease with potentially very high mortality

🧬 HOW NEWCASTLE DISEASE DEVELOPS

The virus commonly enters through the respiratory or digestive tract.

It can spread through:

➡️ Respiratory droplets and secretions
➡️ F***s
➡️ Contaminated feed and water
➡️ Contaminated equipment
➡️ Clothing, footwear and hands
➡️ Infected birds
➡️ Some wild birds

After entering the bird, the virus replicates in susceptible tissues and, with virulent strains, can spread throughout the body.

🫁 Respiratory system: inflammation and airway damage → coughing, sneezing, gasping and respiratory distress.

💩 Digestive system: intestinal and lymphoid damage → diarrhea, dehydration and weakness.

🧠 Nervous system: neurological involvement → tremors, ataxia, torticollis, paralysis and seizures.

🥚 Reproductive system: reduced egg production, abnormal eggs and poor shell quality.

In severe disease, systemic damage can lead to rapid collapse and death.

🚨 CLINICAL SIGNS

🫁 Respiratory signs

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Gasping
• Difficult breathing
• Rales
• Nasal discharge
• Open-mouth breathing

🧠 Neurological signs

• Tremors
• Ataxia
• Circling
• Twisted neck (torticollis)
• Seizures
• Wing paralysis
• Leg paralysis
• Abnormal head positioning

💩 Digestive signs

• Watery or greenish diarrhea
• Reduced appetite
• Depression
• Weakness
• Rapid loss of body condition

🥚 Production signs

• Sudden reduction in egg production
• Thin or rough shells
• Misshapen eggs
• Abnormal shell pigmentation
• Watery albumen

☠️ Severe disease

• Severe depression
• Cyanotic comb
• Collapse
• Sudden death
• Very high flock mortality

Some birds may die with very few obvious signs, particularly during severe velogenic infections.

⚠️ MAJOR RISK FACTORS

🔴 Poor vaccination coverage
🔴 Incorrect vaccine storage or administration
🔴 Inadequate biosecurity
🔴 Introducing birds of unknown health status
🔴 Mixing different age groups
🔴 High stocking density
🔴 Contaminated equipment
🔴 Contaminated feed or water
🔴 Wild-bird contact
🔴 Movement of people between poultry farms
🔴 Stress and poor environmental management
🔴 Concurrent infections

🔬 DIAGNOSIS

Clinical signs and postmortem lesions can raise suspicion, but they are not enough to confirm Newcastle disease.

Laboratory testing may include:

🧬 Real-time RT-PCR
🧫 Virus isolation
🧪 Serology
🔬 Molecular characterization

Important differential diagnoses include highly pathogenic avian influenza, infectious bronchitis, infectious laryngotracheitis, infectious coryza, mycoplasmosis and fowl cholera.

💊 TREATMENT — CRITICAL FACT

❌ There is no specific antiviral treatment that cures virulent Newcastle disease.

Antibiotics do NOT kill Newcastle disease virus.

Supportive management may include:

✅ Clean, easily accessible drinking water
✅ Good-quality feed
✅ Electrolyte support where appropriate
✅ Good ventilation
✅ Proper temperature management
✅ Reduction of environmental stress
✅ Veterinary management of secondary bacterial infections when indicated

Antibiotics may be useful against secondary bacterial infections, but they do not cure the viral infection itself.

🚨 WHAT TO DO WHEN AN OUTBREAK IS SUSPECTED

🚫 Stop unnecessary movement of birds.

🔒 Isolate the affected flock.

👢 Restrict visitors and personnel movement.

🧼 Clean and disinfect equipment, footwear and housing.

🐦 Prevent contact with wild birds.

📞 Contact a veterinarian or appropriate animal-health authority.

🧪 Submit appropriate samples for laboratory confirmation.

⚠️ Follow official disease-control measures, including quarantine, movement restrictions and other measures required by local authorities.

🛡️ PREVENTION IS THE BEST STRATEGY

The two major pillars of Newcastle disease control are:

💉 VACCINATION + BIOSECURITY

A good vaccination program should be designed according to the local disease situation, production system, bird type, maternal antibodies, vaccine product, administration method and veterinary recommendations.

Remember:

Vaccination reduces clinical disease and mortality, but vaccinated birds may still become infected and shed virus.

Therefore:

💉 Vaccinate properly
🔒 Maintain strict biosecurity
🧼 Clean and disinfect regularly
🐔 Avoid unnecessary bird mixing
🚫 Quarantine new birds
👢 Control farm visitors
🐦 Limit wild-bird contact
🔍 Monitor birds every day
📞 Report suspicious outbreaks quickly

🌍 GLOBAL FARMER TAKE-HOME MESSAGE

Newcastle disease is not simply a respiratory disease.

Depending on the virus strain and host, it can become:

🫁 Respiratory
🧠 Neurological
💩 Digestive
🥚 Reproductive
🩸 Systemic

A dangerous combination is:

Highly virulent virus + susceptible birds + inadequate immunity + poor biosecurity = explosive flock disease.

🚨 Sudden mortality + respiratory signs + green diarrhea + neurological signs should make Newcastle disease an important differential diagnosis — but laboratory confirmation is essential.

🐔 PROTECT YOUR FLOCK BEFORE THE VIRUS ARRIVES.

💉 Vaccination.
🔒 Biosecurity.
🔍 Early detection.
🧪 Laboratory confirmation.
📞 Rapid veterinary action.

— Nile Feeds and Cereals Supplies
Knowledge • Prevention • Better Poultry Production


28/09/2026

Amoy pa lang, kalidad na? Baka INTEGRA 3000 at 3000 PLUS ’yan! Laging bagong gawa kaya amoy sariwa ang feeds at ganado kumain ang mga alaga.​

Available sa mga B-MEG dealers nationwide​
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27/09/2026

🐔 POULTRY VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY: THE HIDDEN DANGER AFFECTING YOUR FLOCK! ⚠️

By Nile Feeds and Cereals Supplies

Vitamin D₃ is one of the most important vitamins for poultry health, strong bones, proper growth, and consistent egg production.
Learn with 💚🩵💙❤️💜📲🌍✅️

When poultry lack sufficient vitamin D₃, they may develop serious nutritional disorders that affect growth, mobility, eggshell quality, and farm profitability.

🚨 WHAT CAUSES VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY?

Common causes include:

🔹 Poorly formulated poultry feed.
🔹 Inadequate vitamin D₃ supplementation.
🔹 Poor-quality or improperly stored vitamin premixes.
🔹 Incorrect calcium and phosphorus balance.
🔹 Poor nutrient absorption due to intestinal disorders.
🔹 Liver or kidney problems that interfere with vitamin D metabolism.
🔹 Increased nutritional demands during rapid growth and egg production.

🦴 CLINICAL SIGNS IN CHICKS AND BROILERS

Watch out for these warning signs:

✅ Weak legs and difficulty standing.
✅ Lameness and reluctance to walk.
✅ Bowed legs and skeletal deformities.
✅ Soft, pliable beaks.
✅ Poor growth and reduced body weight.
✅ Enlarged joints and abnormal bone development.
✅ Severe cases may result in fractures and inability to walk.

🥚 DANGERS IN LAYING HENS

Vitamin D₃ deficiency can seriously affect egg production and eggshell quality.

⚠️ Thin and fragile eggshells.
⚠️ Soft-shelled or shell-less eggs.
⚠️ Reduced egg production.
⚠️ Increased egg breakage.
⚠️ Weak bones and osteoporosis.
⚠️ Increased risk of fractures.

In severe cases, affected birds may experience significant production losses, poor welfare, and death.

🔬 HOW DOES VITAMIN D₃ DEFICIENCY CAUSE DAMAGE?

Vitamin D₃ helps poultry absorb and utilize calcium and phosphorus.

When vitamin D₃ is insufficient, the body cannot efficiently maintain normal mineral balance.

This leads to poor bone mineralization in growing birds and weakened bones in mature birds. In laying hens, inadequate vitamin D₃ can interfere with the supply of calcium needed for eggshell formation.

Remember: A feed may contain calcium and phosphorus, but if vitamin D₃ is inadequate, the birds may not utilize these minerals effectively.

💊 HOW TO TREAT VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY

The first priority is to identify and correct the nutritional problem.

1️⃣ Correct the feed: Provide a properly formulated ration containing adequate vitamin D₃.

2️⃣ Supplement vitamin D₃: Use an appropriate poultry vitamin D₃ product according to its label and veterinary or nutritional guidance.

3️⃣ Balance calcium and phosphorus: Ensure that both minerals meet the requirements of the birds' age and production stage.

4️⃣ Support affected birds: Provide easy access to feed and clean water, reduce stress, and protect birds with weak legs from injuries.

5️⃣ Investigate persistent cases: If signs continue, check for mineral deficiencies, mycotoxins, intestinal disorders, and liver or kidney problems.

⚠️ IMPORTANT WARNING: Excessive vitamin D₃ supplementation can cause toxicity, kidney damage, abnormal calcium deposits in tissues, and even death. Never assume that a higher dose is always better.

🌱 PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN TREATMENT

To protect your poultry:

✅ Use quality feed formulated for the correct production stage.
✅ Purchase vitamin premixes from reliable suppliers.
✅ Store feed in a cool, dry place.
✅ Check feed labels, expiry dates, and mixing procedures.
✅ Maintain proper calcium and available phosphorus levels.
✅ Monitor growth, leg strength, egg production, and eggshell quality.
✅ Consult a poultry veterinarian or qualified nutritionist when deficiency is suspected.

📌 KEY MESSAGE TO POULTRY FARMERS

Weak legs, poor growth, thin eggshells, and declining egg production should never be ignored.

Vitamin D₃ deficiency is preventable. Proper nutrition, balanced minerals, quality feed, and early intervention are essential for healthy birds and profitable poultry farming.

🌍 Whether you are raising broilers, layers, chicks, or breeder birds, maintaining adequate vitamin D₃ is essential for flock health and productivity.

Nile Feeds and Cereals Supplies
Educating Farmers | Improving Animal Health | Supporting Profitable Farming

💬 QUESTION FOR POULTRY FARMERS:

Have you ever experienced weak legs in broilers or thin-shelled eggs in your layers? What feeding or nutritional challenges did you encounter?

Share your experience in the comments! 👇


27/09/2026

🐔💰 HOW TO START BROILER FARMING WITH MINIMAL CAPITAL

Want to start broiler farming but don't have much capital?
Learn with 💙💚🩵💛❤️📱🌍✅️

👉 Don't start big. Start smart!

🐥 1. START WITH 20–50 CHICKS

Your first flock should help you learn:
✅ Brooding
✅ Feeding
✅ Disease prevention
✅ Marketing
✅ Record keeping
✅ Cost control

Once you become confident and profitable, increase gradually.

🏠 2. USE A SIMPLE POULTRY HOUSE

You don't need an expensive building.

Your house must be:
✔️ Dry
✔️ Well ventilated
✔️ Secure from predators
✔️ Protected from rain and cold drafts
✔️ Easy to clean
✔️ Spacious enough to prevent overcrowding

🔥 3. GET BROODING RIGHT

The first days are critical.

🥶 Chicks crowding together = too cold
🥵 Chicks far from heat/panting = too hot
😊 Evenly distributed, active chicks = comfortable

Prepare the brooder before the chicks arrive.

🌾 4. DON'T COMPROMISE ON FEED

Feed is one of your biggest expenses.

Use a proper broiler feeding program:

🟡 Starter
🟠 Grower
🔴 Finisher

Cheap feed doesn't always mean cheap production.

Poor nutrition can cause slow growth and increase the cost of producing each kilogram of chicken.

💧 5. CLEAN WATER — ALWAYS

Provide clean water continuously.

Check drinkers frequently and prevent leaking, contamination and wet litter.

🛡️ 6. BIOSECURITY SAVES MONEY

Prevent disease instead of waiting to treat it.

🚫 Limit unnecessary visitors
👟 Use dedicated footwear
🧼 Keep equipment clean
🐀 Control rodents
🪰 Control flies
🐦 Keep wild birds away
🧹 Clean and disinfect between batches

💉 7. DON'T USE MEDICINES RANDOMLY

Antibiotics are not a replacement for good management.

Focus on:
✅ Quality chicks
✅ Correct vaccination
✅ Good feed
✅ Clean water
✅ Ventilation
✅ Hygiene
✅ Correct stocking density

Seek professional animal-health advice when disease is suspected.

📋 8. KEEP FARM RECORDS

Record:

🐥 Chicks purchased
💰 Costs
🌾 Feed used
💉 Health expenses
☠️ Mortality
⚖️ Growth/weights
💵 Sales

Then calculate:

PROFIT = TOTAL SALES − TOTAL COSTS

🛒 9. FIND CUSTOMERS BEFORE THE CHICKS ARRIVE

Talk to:

🏠 Households
🍗 Restaurants
🏪 Butcheries
🏨 Hotels
👨‍🌾 Traders
🏫 Institutions

Know your expected market, preferred bird size and selling price before you invest.

📈 10. SCALE GRADUALLY

20–30 chicks
⬇️
Learn
⬇️
Record results
⬇️
Correct mistakes
⬇️
50 chicks
⬇️
Prove profitability
⬇️
100+ birds

🧠 FARMER'S GOLDEN RULE

Don't ask:

❌ "How can I keep the most chickens with the least money?"

Ask:

✅ "How can I produce healthy, marketable chicken at the lowest safe and sustainable cost?"

🐔 START SMALL.
FEED WELL.
PREVENT DISEASE.
KNOW YOUR MARKET.
KEEP RECORDS.
SCALE WITH EXPERIENCE.

🌾 Nile Feeds and Cereals Supplies
Practical knowledge for better livestock and poultry farming.

27/09/2026

🐔🚨 INFECTIOUS CORYZA IN POULTRY — THE “SWOLLEN FACE” DISEASE YOU SHOULD NOT IGNORE

🔬 CAUSE • PATHOGENESIS • SYMPTOMS • CLINICAL SIGNS • RISK FACTORS • TREATMENT • PREVENTION

📚 NILE FEEDS AND CEREALS SUPPLIES | POULTRY HEALTH EDUCATION

Have you noticed chickens with swollen faces, watery or closed eyes, thick nasal discharge and difficulty breathing?
Learn with 💚❤️🩵💙💜📲🌍✅️

One important possibility is Infectious Coryza, a highly contagious bacterial respiratory disease of chickens.

🦠 CAUSATIVE AGENT

Infectious coryza is caused by:

🔬 Avibacterium paragallinarum

It primarily affects the upper respiratory tract, especially the nasal passages and infraorbital sinuses.

⚠️ The disease can affect backyard chickens, indigenous poultry, broilers and commercial layers, but production losses can be particularly important in laying flocks.

🧬 HOW DOES INFECTIOUS CORYZA DEVELOP?

The disease generally begins when susceptible chickens are exposed to infected birds or contaminated respiratory secretions.

➡️ The bacteria enter the respiratory tract.

➡️ They colonise the nasal mucosa and upper respiratory tissues.

➡️ Inflammation develops in the nasal passages and infraorbital sinuses.

➡️ Fluid and inflammatory exudate accumulate.

➡️ The characteristic facial and infraorbital swelling develops.

➡️ Thick secretions can obstruct the nasal passages.

➡️ Birds reduce feed and water intake.

➡️ Egg production and growth can decline.

The incubation period is commonly around 1–3 days, while clinical disease may persist for several weeks, particularly when secondary infections are present.

🚨 EARLY SYMPTOMS

Watch your flock carefully for:

🔹 Sneezing
🔹 Watery eyes
🔹 Mild nasal discharge
🔹 Reduced activity
🔹 Reduced appetite
🔹 Early facial swelling
🔹 Mild respiratory noise

Early recognition gives the farmer an opportunity to investigate and control the outbreak before it spreads throughout the flock.

🔴 CHARACTERISTIC CLINICAL SIGNS

The classic presentation may include:

🐔 Swollen face

🐔 Swelling beneath the eyes

🐔 Thick nasal discharge

🐔 Conjunctivitis

🐔 Sticky eyelids

🐔 Eyes partially or completely closed

🐔 Sneezing and coughing

🐔 Noisy or difficult breathing

🐔 Swollen wattles in some birds

🐔 Depression and reduced activity

🐔 Poor feed intake

🐔 Weight loss

🐔 Reduced egg production

In severe cases, facial swelling may become so pronounced that birds have difficulty seeing, feeding and drinking.

⚠️ WHY DOES IT BECOME WORSE IN SOME FLOCKS?

The severity of infectious coryza can increase when birds are simultaneously exposed to other respiratory pathogens.

Possible complications include:

🦠 Secondary bacterial infections
🦠 Mycoplasma-associated respiratory disease
🦠 Viral respiratory infections
🌫️ Poor ventilation
💨 High ammonia levels
🐔 Overcrowding
💧 Poor water hygiene

This is why a respiratory outbreak should not automatically be assumed to be coryza based only on facial swelling.

⚠️ MAJOR RISK FACTORS

🔸 Introducing infected or carrier birds
🔸 Mixing birds from different sources
🔸 Mixing different age groups
🔸 Poor biosecurity
🔸 Overcrowding
🔸 Poor ventilation
🔸 Dirty drinkers and feeders
🔸 Contaminated equipment
🔸 Inadequate sanitation
🔸 Stress and poor flock management
🔸 Concurrent respiratory diseases
🔸 Lack of an appropriate vaccination programme where vaccination is indicated

Recovered chickens can remain carriers, creating an important challenge for farms experiencing repeated outbreaks.

🔬 HOW IS INFECTIOUS CORYZA DIAGNOSED?

Clinical signs can strongly suggest coryza, but laboratory confirmation is valuable because several poultry diseases can produce similar respiratory signs.

Veterinary diagnostic methods may include:

🧪 PCR testing

🧫 Bacterial culture

🔬 Laboratory identification

💊 Antimicrobial susceptibility testing

Postmortem examination may also reveal characteristic inflammatory material within the infraorbital sinuses.

💊 TREATMENT

Treatment should be directed by a qualified poultry veterinarian.

Because infectious coryza is bacterial, an appropriate antimicrobial may be used when indicated and when the organism is susceptible.

Depending on local veterinary guidance and product authorisation, drugs that have been used against susceptible A. paragallinarum include:

🔹 Oxytetracycline
🔹 Erythromycin
🔹 Trimethoprim–sulfonamide combinations

⚠️ DO NOT randomly combine antibiotics or repeatedly use the same antibiotic without veterinary guidance.

Antimicrobial resistance can occur, so laboratory susceptibility information can be extremely useful.

Always follow:

✅ Correct dose
✅ Correct route
✅ Correct treatment duration
✅ Veterinary instructions
✅ Egg/meat withdrawal periods
✅ Local regulations

💧 SUPPORTIVE MANAGEMENT

While the underlying bacterial infection is being managed:

✔️ Provide clean drinking water.

✔️ Ensure easy access to feed.

✔️ Reduce overcrowding.

✔️ Improve ventilation.

✔️ Reduce dust and ammonia exposure.

✔️ Keep drinkers and feeders clean.

✔️ Isolate clinically affected birds where practical.

✔️ Monitor the flock closely for worsening respiratory disease.

Severely affected or dehydrated birds require prompt veterinary attention.

🛡️ PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN REPEATED TREATMENT

For farms with recurring infectious coryza, prevention should become a major part of the flock-health programme.

🔐 BIOSECURITY

Control visitors, equipment, footwear and movement between poultry houses.

🐣 QUARANTINE

New birds should be quarantined and sourced from reliable, health-monitored suppliers.

🧹 CLEANING & DISINFECTION

Thoroughly clean poultry houses, drinkers, feeders, crates and equipment.

🐔 FLOCK MANAGEMENT

Avoid unnecessary mixing of ages and maintain appropriate stocking density.

💉 VACCINATION

Where infectious coryza is an important local problem, discuss vaccination with a poultry veterinarian. Vaccine selection should consider the serovars circulating in the area, because protection is not necessarily broad across all strains.

🔍 IMPORTANT DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES

Facial swelling and respiratory disease can also occur with:

🦠 Mycoplasmosis
🦠 Infectious bronchitis
🦠 Newcastle disease
🦠 Fowl cholera
🦠 Avian influenza
🦠 Other bacterial or viral respiratory infections

Therefore, do not diagnose infectious coryza solely because a chicken has a swollen face.

🚨 If your flock develops sudden deaths, severe respiratory disease, neurological signs or unusually high mortality, seek veterinary assistance and follow local animal-health reporting requirements.

📌 FARMER'S KEY MESSAGE

🐔 Swollen face + nasal discharge + conjunctivitis + respiratory signs + falling egg production = investigate immediately.

Infectious coryza can spread quickly through susceptible chickens and may become a recurring problem when carrier birds remain within the production system.

The best approach combines:

**EARLY DETECTION 🔎

+ ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS 🧪
+ RESPONSIBLE TREATMENT 💊
+ BIOSECURITY 🔐
+ APPROPRIATE VACCINATION 💉
+ GOOD FARM MANAGEMENT 🐔**

🌍 Healthy birds. Better productivity. Sustainable poultry farming.

📚 NILE FEEDS AND CEREALS SUPPLIES
Professional livestock & poultry health education.

👉 Follow our page for more practical poultry disease, livestock health, feeding and farm-management education.

💬 Have you ever seen chickens with severe facial swelling and thick nasal discharge? Share your experience in the comments.

🌾Nile Feeds and Cereals Supplies🌾
"where quality is guaranteed"

26/09/2026

🐔🚨 INFECTIOUS BRONCHITIS (IB) IN CHICKENS 🚨🐔

⚠️ A highly contagious disease that can affect the lungs, kidneys AND reproductive system

Infectious Bronchitis (IB) is a rapidly spreading viral disease of chickens caused by Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV), an avian coronavirus.
Learn with 💚❤️🩵💙💜📲🌍✅️

It can cause serious respiratory disease in chicks, kidney damage in some cases, and major losses in laying birds through reduced egg production and poor egg quality.

🦠 WHAT CAUSES INFECTIOUS BRONCHITIS?

The disease is caused by Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV).

Different IBV strains can produce different disease patterns:

🔹 Respiratory disease
🔹 Kidney disease
🔹 Reproductive tract damage
🔹 Mixed infections with severe secondary bacterial disease

IB is extremely contagious and can move rapidly through a poultry flock.

🔬 HOW DOES INFECTIOUS BRONCHITIS DEVELOP?

The virus usually enters through the respiratory tract.

➡️ Virus enters through inhalation/contact
➡️ Attaches to respiratory epithelial cells
➡️ Rapid viral multiplication occurs
➡️ Ciliated cells become damaged
➡️ Normal mucus clearance is impaired
➡️ Mucus accumulates in the airways
➡️ Inflammation develops
➡️ Coughing, sneezing and abnormal breathing appear

Once respiratory defenses are damaged, bacteria such as E. coli and Mycoplasma can cause serious secondary infections.

🫁 COMMON SYMPTOMS & CLINICAL SIGNS

Young chickens 🐥

⚠️ Sneezing
⚠️ Coughing
⚠️ Tracheal rales/noisy breathing
⚠️ Nasal discharge
⚠️ Gasping
⚠️ Difficulty breathing
⚠️ Depression
⚠️ Huddling
⚠️ Reduced feed intake
⚠️ Poor growth

Severe respiratory disease can result in increased mortality, particularly when secondary infections occur.

🫘 WHEN IB ATTACKS THE KIDNEYS

Some IBV strains are nephropathogenic, meaning they can cause severe kidney disease.

Watch for:

🚨 Excessive drinking
🚨 Wet droppings
🚨 Dehydration
🚨 Weakness
🚨 Depression
🚨 Enlarged/pale kidneys
🚨 Ureteral urate accumulation
🚨 Visceral gout
🚨 Increased mortality

🥚 INFECTIOUS BRONCHITIS IN LAYERS

IB can cause major reproductive and production problems.

Look for:

📉 Sudden drop in egg production
🥚 Thin-shelled eggs
🥚 Soft-shelled eggs
🥚 Rough or wrinkled shells
🥚 Misshapen eggs
🥚 Pale eggs
🥚 Watery albumen

Infection of very young pullets can permanently damage the developing oviduct and may result in false layers that have functioning ovaries but cannot produce normal eggs.

⚠️ RISK FACTORS

IB outbreaks can become worse with:

🔸 Poor ventilation
🔸 High ammonia levels
🔸 Overcrowding
🔸 Poor biosecurity
🔸 Temperature stress
🔸 Inadequate vaccination
🔸 Poor flock immunity
🔸 Introduction of infected birds
🔸 Contaminated equipment, footwear or clothing
🔸 Secondary bacterial infections

🧪 DIAGNOSIS

Respiratory signs alone cannot confirm IB because several poultry diseases can look similar.

Differential diagnoses include:

• Newcastle disease
• Infectious laryngotracheitis
• Infectious coryza
• Mycoplasmosis
• Avian metapneumovirus
• Avian influenza
• Other respiratory infections

Laboratory confirmation may involve:

🔬 RT-PCR/RT-qPCR
🔬 Virus isolation
🔬 Serology
🔬 Genetic sequencing/typing

💊 TREATMENT

🚨 There is no specific antiviral treatment that eliminates IBV from an infected flock.

Management focuses on reducing disease severity and complications.

✅ Provide clean drinking water
✅ Maintain appropriate temperature
✅ Improve ventilation
✅ Reduce ammonia
✅ Minimize stress
✅ Maintain good nutrition
✅ Correct dehydration with appropriate supportive therapy
✅ Control confirmed/suspected secondary bacterial infections under veterinary guidance

❗ Antibiotics do NOT kill the IB virus. They may only be useful when bacterial complications are present.

💉 PREVENTION IS THE KEY

The most important tools are:

🛡️ VACCINATION + BIOSECURITY + GOOD MANAGEMENT

✔️ Use an appropriate IB vaccination program
✔️ Consider the IBV strains circulating in your area
✔️ Maintain strict farm biosecurity
✔️ Disinfect equipment and footwear
✔️ Control visitors and farm traffic
✔️ Avoid unnecessary mixing of birds
✔️ Maintain proper stocking density
✔️ Keep poultry houses well ventilated
✔️ Control ammonia
✔️ Obtain birds from reliable sources

Because IBV has many variants, vaccination programs should be designed according to local disease patterns and veterinary advice rather than simply copying another farm's program.

🚨 FARMER'S WARNING SIGN

If your flock suddenly develops:

SNEEZING + COUGHING + NOISY BREATHING + GASPING

or:

EGG PRODUCTION DROP + ABNORMAL EGGS

or:

RESPIRATORY DISEASE + EXCESSIVE DRINKING + WET DROPPINGS + MORTALITY

👉 Do not wait. Contact a poultry veterinarian or diagnostic laboratory.

Early investigation can help distinguish IB from other serious poultry diseases and guide appropriate control measures.

🧠 REMEMBER

🐔 IB is not just a respiratory disease.

It can involve:

🫁 Lungs/respiratory tract
🫘 Kidneys
🥚 Reproductive system

Protect your flock before the virus spreads!

🐔 Healthy birds = Better growth + Better production + Better profits.

📌 Share this information with another poultry farmer.

🌾Nile Feeds and Cereals Supplies🌾
"where quality is guaranteed"


25/09/2026

🐖🚨 AFRICAN SWINE FEVER (ASF): A DEADLY THREAT TO PIG FARMING! 🚨🐖

Nile Feeds and Cereals Supplies | Livestock Health Education

African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic pigs and wild pigs. It can cause sudden death, severe illness and devastating economic losses to pig farmers.
Learn with 💚❤️💙💛💜📲🌍✅️

⚠️ ASF is NOT a disease of humans, but people can spread the virus between farms through contaminated clothing, footwear, equipment, vehicles and pork products.

🦠 1. CAUSATIVE AGENT
African Swine Fever is caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV), a large, double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the family Asfarviridae.

🔬 2. PATHOGENESIS: HOW ASF DESTROYS THE PIG'S BODY

After entering the pig's body, ASFV infects immune cells, particularly monocytes and macrophages. The virus multiplies and spreads through the bloodstream, causing:

🔹 Severe systemic inflammation
🔹 Damage to immune tissues
🔹 Blood vessel dysfunction
🔹 Disturbances in blood clotting
🔹 Internal haemorrhages
🔹 Enlargement of the spleen and lymph nodes
🔹 Circulatory failure, shock and potentially death

In highly virulent infections, mortality can approach 100%.

🦠 3. HOW ASF SPREADS

ASF can spread through:

✅ Direct contact with infected pigs.
✅ Contact with infected blood, secretions and body tissues.
✅ Feeding contaminated pork, swill or food waste.
✅ Contaminated boots, clothing, tools and vehicles.
✅ Exposure to infected pig carcasses.
✅ Certain soft ticks of the genus Ornithodoros in areas where they occur.
✅ Movement of infected pigs between farms and markets.

⚠️ Never feed pigs untreated food waste that may contain contaminated pork products.

🌡️ 4. EARLY SYMPTOMS

Watch for:

• High fever, often 40–42°C
• Sudden loss of appetite
• Depression and weakness
• Reduced movement
• Huddling or lying down
• Rapid breathing
• Reduced water intake

🩸 5. MAJOR CLINICAL SIGNS

Severely affected pigs may develop:

🔴 Red, purple or bluish discoloration of the ears, abdomen, legs and tail.
🔴 Haemorrhages beneath the skin and within internal organs.
🔴 Vomiting and diarrhoea, sometimes bloody.
🔴 Laboured breathing.
🔴 Severe weakness and inability to stand.
🔴 Abortions, stillbirths and reproductive losses.
🔴 Sudden death with few preceding signs.

Post-mortem findings may include an enlarged, dark spleen, haemorrhagic lymph nodes and pinpoint kidney haemorrhages.

⚠️ These signs raise suspicion but do not confirm ASF. Laboratory testing is essential.

🚨 6. RISK FACTORS

The risk of ASF increases with:

❌ Poor farm biosecurity.
❌ Uncontrolled introduction of new pigs.
❌ Feeding untreated swill.
❌ Free-ranging pigs with access to infected animals or carcasses.
❌ Sharing contaminated equipment.
❌ Unregulated pig transportation and trading.
❌ Poor carcass disposal.
❌ Delayed reporting of unexplained pig deaths.

💊 7. TREATMENT: IS THERE A CURE?

There is no established specific curative treatment for African Swine Fever.

Antibiotics do not kill ASF virus. Supportive treatment cannot be relied upon to cure the infection or stop transmission.

If ASF is suspected:

🚨 Immediately restrict movement of pigs and people.
🚨 Contact your veterinary officer or animal-health authority.
🚨 Do not sell, slaughter or transport pigs from the affected herd.
🚨 Do not move carcasses or contaminated equipment.
🚨 Follow official instructions for testing, disinfection and safe carcass disposal.

💉 ASF vaccines have received authorization in certain countries, but availability and approval differ. Use only vaccines authorized by your national veterinary authority.

🛡️ 8. PREVENTION: PROTECT YOUR PIG FARM

✅ Buy pigs from traceable, reliable sources.
✅ Quarantine new arrivals under veterinary guidance.
✅ Keep pigs in secure housing.
✅ Restrict visitors and use dedicated farm clothing and boots.
✅ Clean and disinfect equipment and vehicles appropriately.
✅ Prevent access to contaminated pork and food waste.
✅ Dispose of dead pigs safely according to veterinary instructions.
✅ Monitor your herd daily and report unusual deaths immediately.

🌍 GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

African Swine Fever is a major threat to pig production worldwide. Whether you are a smallholder farmer or operate a large commercial pig unit, strong biosecurity and early reporting are essential.

📌 KEY MESSAGE: High fever, purple skin discoloration, haemorrhages and sudden deaths should trigger immediate veterinary investigation.

Do not wait for the disease to spread before taking action!

🐖 Protect your pigs. Protect your investment. Protect the future of pig farming.

📢 Share this educational post with pig farmers, livestock professionals, veterinary students and animal-health workers.

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