11/01/2017
FOWL POX
Fowl pox is a viral disease which affects poultry.Just like chicken pox(varicela) in humans it lowers immunity of the body and another similarity is that it never strikes the same animal twice.Do not confuse chicken pox and fowl pox.While fowl pox occurs in birds chicken pox occurs in humans especially children due to incompletely developed immunity.Another difference is that chicken pox is spread through coughs ,contacts from infected persons and sneezes while fowl pox is spread through mosquito bites,contact through infected birds and contaminated poultry equipments and persons.Fowl pox has become a major issue in small and large scale farmers in Kenya.Take note that during festivities like christmas a lot of transportation of animals take place.Chances of disease spread are higher.That's why after festivities disease incidences increase.Diseases like fowl pox and newcastle for example are always more pronounced.There is a need for strict biosecurity.Biosecurity means all the steps taken to put disease causing organisms at bay and this includes strict vaccination programme,keeping away visitors and intruders out of your farm,fencing the farm,proper carcass disposal,disinfecting poultry houses and poultry equipments,hygiene and sanitation programmes and keeping rodents and predators at bay.In fowl pox endemic areas it is advisable to have two fowl pox vaccinations.That is at 3wks and the second one at 6wks.It is also advisable to control mosquitoes by keeping grass and bushes short and draining stagnant water.Mosquitoes transmit the fowl pox virus through their bite.Last but not least be informed that FOWL POX HAS NO CURE!!.Infact all viral diseases in poultry have no cure.The best that can be done is to vaccinate the remaining unaffected flock during a fowl pox outbreak.ONLY VACCINATE HEALTHY BIRDS AND SEEK THE SERVICES OF A QUALIFIED VET.
