The presence of chicken anemia virus (CAV) has been confirmed in Chitwan, following a study conducted by the National Avian Disease Investigation Laboratory in the past three months.
Chief of the Laboratory, Dr Bijay Kumar, confirmed that the virus was detected in poultry samples through rigorous testing. Out of 92 samples tested, 31 (33%) showed signs of infection, which causes immune suppression in chickens.
While the virus is not expected to cause direct or significant harm to human health, it has been shown to affect poultry production, leading to notable economic loss. Dr Kumar emphasized the importance of vaccination as a preventive measure against the virus to protect poultry health.
The virus causes anemia in chickens, denting their growth and overall development. This discovery follows the first confirmed case of CAV in Kathmandu two years ago, highlighting a growing concern within the poultry industry.
In addition, the study revealed that last fiscal year, 785 cases of E. coli and 112 cases of Salmonella were detected out of 1,120 poultry tests. These findings underscore a significant lapse in biosecurity measures across poultry farms.
To mitigate such risks, experts urge immediate steps to strengthen bio security practices, particularly during the transportation of poultry feeds, water, medications, and eggs. Enhanced vigilance in these areas is crucial to ensuring the health and safety of the poultry sector.
