A Retrospective study on the occurrence of newcastle disease (NCD) in village poultry in Mutasa district, Manicaland province, Zimbabwe
- Author
- Kututwa, Lynea R.
- Title
- A Retrospective study on the occurrence of newcastle disease (NCD) in village poultry in Mutasa district, Manicaland province, Zimbabwe
- Abstract
- Newcastle disease is a threat to both small scale and commercial poultry farmers’ livelihoods as it lead to significant poultry mortalities. The aim of the study was to determine the spatial and temporal distribution of New Castle Disease (NCD) as well as to establish NCD vaccine coverage in Mutasa District -Manicaland Province, addressing NCD related issues in order to prevent losses due to mortalities in poultry. Areas under ward 31, 5, 6, 7, 16 and 24 were covered during the study and dip tanks in these wards were the control points and these are Ruda, Buwu, Mutarazi, Nutwell and Zongoro. Stratified random sampling method was used to select the study area. Sample size was determined using formular by Thrusfield (2007) on Veterinary Epidemiology. A total of 40 farmers were interviewed through questionnaire surveys and 92.5% being small scale-subsistence and 7.5% being commercial farmers. All farmers kept poultry and at least one livestock animal. There were no significant differences in mortalities across wards during the last outbreak with the highest poultry mortalities in ward 5(n>150). NCD vaccination across the wards was almost the same and by so, interventions should not be ward based but rather a holistic approach should be used. Farmers commended that no NCD outbreaks were recorded following vaccination of poultry birds.
- Date
- June 2025
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
- Newcastle disease
- Commercial poultry farmers
- Poultry mortalities
- Supervisor
- Dr. Nyamushamba
- Item sets
- Department of Animal Sciences
