Agriculture Ministry to destroy 18,000 chickens

Eighteen thousand chickens afflicted with the Infectious Laryngotrachetis (ILT) disease will be destroyed today by the Ministry of Agriculture.

On Friday, the chicken farm owned by poultry farmer Harry Noonoo at Soogrim Trace, Cunupia, was placed under quarantine after tests carried out in England revealed that the chickens were affected with ILT. Police officers from the Cunupia Police Station were posted at the farm to ensure that none of the chickens were sold or moved out of the farm.

Police officers posted at the farm became concerned about the guard duties and took the matter to the Police Second Division Association. The officers wanted to find out what type of disease the chickens were afflicted with and further wanted to find out if they were being exposed to the “Bird flu disease.” Yesterday, Inspector Christopher Holder, president of the Second Division, told Newsday that the matter was referred to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture. It was then confirmed that the chickens were afflicted with ILT and posed no threat to humans.

Yesterday, officers continued guard duties at the farm. Noonoo, the owner of the chickens said that he noticed a problem with his livestock and called in a vet who took blood samples. The samples were sent for testing in England and when the results were made available on Friday, a decision was taken to have the farm quarantined. Noonoo said that the incident has resulted in misinformation being filtered out and he was wrongly being accused of having diseased chicken at the farm. Noonoo said that he has been informed that he will be compensated for his losses. He is hoping to get a new batch of chickens shortly and resume operations.

The ILT found at the farm in Cunupia is believed to be the first discovery of the disease in the country. ILT is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract of chickens, pheasants and peafowl. Turkeys, ducks and geese do not contract the infection, but could spread the disease. The disease is not a human health risk. ILT is caused by excessive ammonia and dust.