As Belizeans start to prepare for Christmas, agricultural health officials
have also been busy ensuring that there will be a healthy supply of foods popular
around this time of the year. The concern was recently raised after an outbreak
of a virus that aggressively attacked hundreds of chickens that will affect
market supply. About three weeks ago farmers from three of the biggest poultry
producing factories in Spanish Lookout started noticing that their chickens
were sick and dying. They quickly contacted the Belize Agricultural Health Authority
to investigate. Samples were taken and a test conducted by the United States
Department of Agriculture laboratory confirmed the presence of virulent Newscastle
Disease. Since the diagnosis BAHA has taken aggressive measures to control the
disease. Today Jacqueline Godwin traveled out west to find out what is being
done and whether or not the outbreak will affect the supply of poultry and eggs
for Christmas.
Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
We do not know what has been the economic loss to the three chicken farms affected
here in Spanish Lookout but what we do know is that a total of 20,000 birds
had to be killed. Now the Belize Agricultural Health Authority has already implemented
measures to prevent the spread of this highly contagious virus known as the
Newcastle Disease which primarily attacks chickens and other birds.
Because poultry is one of the Mennonite community’s main income earners
the Chairman of Spanish Lookout Henry Dueck says they reacted quickly to control
and contain the outbreak
Jacqueline Godwin,
Henry is this situation contained?
Henry Dueck, Chairman - Spanish Lookout
“Yes as far as we know it is under control, we have done everything 
we could, everything possible to get rid of those sick birds and as far as we
know every thing is under control.”
Just how the farms got contaminated is anybody’s guess, but the Mennonite
officials believe the virus may have been brought in by the recent flood that
did greatly affect the area.
Dr. Victor Gongora, Dir. of Animal health – BAHA
“So when the mortality started it wasn’t just one dramatic everything
died on one day so they tried different treatments as they normally do and when
they realize this was beyond what they were able to do they contacted us.”
According to BAHA’s Director of Animal Health, Dr. Victor Gongora in
1997 there was a similar outbreak in Belize. Today they are encouraging poultry
farmers and producers to put in place a good bio security plan as a preventative
measure.
Dr. Victor Gongora,
“They have what they call their bio-security plan but it is not one
that would prevent especially prevent a disease like what we have now from coming
into their farms.”
BAHA has closed the three affected poultry farms and vaccinated the remaining
chicken population located in other pens in the restricted areas.
Dr. Victor Gongora,
“So the vaccination program has been intensified that restricted area
and has already been done throughout Spanish Lookout and we have advised all 
other communities, especially the commercial growers, that they should step
up on their vaccinations and their bio-security. So not just say I will vaccinate
my birds and then go on, you have to control all movements through your farm
and also vaccinate your birds. We have an emergency response plan and we are
also basing our response on the Australian emergency plan which is a very good
plan and we’ll apply whatever measures need to be done to destroy that
virus factory and to contain it there.”
The virus is only harmful to humans when someone comes in direct contact with
an infected area. So far, two such cases have been reported.
Dr. Victor Gongora,
“This disease, it is the second time we are reporting it in Belize
and it is the virulent form so we do have the milder form of the disease and
we always vaccinate for this disease in Belize. Now with the virulent form,
virulent means when it comes it is going to kill quickly. So when it came, and
we have evidence to believe that it just came on those dates that I was tell
you, and so there is no history of it being around for some time for birds to
be sick and being sent to slaughter and when it came it killed them so quickly
that there was no sick bird to really slaughter, they died of the disease. And
the other food safety factor is that the disease does not affect human from
the food, from the meat or the eggs. It would affect if we are, as I said the
virus factory, if I as a vet goes into that farm trying to look at sick birds,
picking them up and opening them up, then of course I am exposed to that virus
and I can get a congentivities, pink eye. We one of our people and one of the
farmers who got pink eye. It was mild and within two days it was over and we
haven’t heard any other reports and that is about it for human health
that this virus would cause.”
But with the recent outbreak, now comes the concern about whether or not there
will be enough eggs and chickens for Christmas. Chairman Henry Dueck says there
will be a healthy supply of chickens and turkeys but there will be a shortage
of eggs.
Henry Dueck,
“Eggs I am pretty sure there will be a shortage. The reason is that
we were a little short on eggs and because of this we had three hen flocks that
died and those were some of the bigger ones so I am sure there will be a shortage
of eggs for this Christmas.”
And that is one of the reasons why BAHA has already started the process to
import eggs into the country as there is always a high demand this time of the
year.
Dr. Victor Gongora,
“I am already getting calls from people that are saying I need so
many eggs because I produce cakes for Christmas and don’t tell me I will
not have eggs.”
A concern BAHA says they will address in time for people to get their supply
of eggs. Jacqueline Godwin reporting for 7NEWS.
Tonight the Mennonite community will be meeting to discuss the way
forward and on Thursday BAHA and other health authorities will do the same with
poultry farmers and producers to educate them on the Newcastle Disease and what
they can do to protect their farms. We understand for the three poultry farmers
in Spanish Lookout the Newcastle Disease totally wiped out their production
and those families now have to start all over again.
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