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Virulent Newcastle disease continues to spread; it started in Spanish Lookout and has now been detected in other parts of Cayo, as well as Corozal, Stann Creek and Toledo. And that wide dispersion is what’s behind a two day training session at Central Farm. The course is to educate agriculture extension officers and backyard producers in best practices to vaccine poultry. And that’s where OIRSA comes in. They are providing the vaccines and that organization’s Fermin Blanco explained the importance of getting it distributed.

Fermin Blanco,
“OIRSA is very enthusiastic in assisting the government of Belize and particularly BAHA and the Ministry of Agriculture in controlling this disease, so as not to spread in the rest of the nation and the region by default. So we are here gathered today to also provide with the vaccination through the project of OIRSA to finance the purchase of vaccines.”

Hon. Rene Montero,
“It has spread to Belize and the Stann Creek Districts and other areas in the Cayo Districts. We also now know that it is widespread in the Toledo District as well. It has affected all types of poultry; broilers, layers, breeders in chickens, as well as turkeys. It has a great social and economic impact and has caused concern of food safety, public health and food security. Presently we have movement controls in place and our officers can stop motorists and request presentation of their movement permits. Back yard producers will be supported by vaccination campaigns administered by our Ministry, thus the reason for the participation of many existing staff who will be responsible to ensure proper immunization in all communities in their districts, particularly in affected districts.”

The Ministry has also received assistance from PAHO, the USDA and IICA.