By Dr Ann Wachira
NEWCASTLE DISEASE HAS a severe impact on local chicken productivity in Kenya. It may wipe out 80-100 % of unvaccinated flocks, and we never know when it strikes.
Farmers are hesitant to invest in local chicken because of this uncertainty. There is no cure for Newcastle disease in chicken. The only way to combat the disease is to prevent the chicken from contracting it.
The most effective method for preventing Newcastle disease in chicken is vaccination. The AVIVAX I-2 Newcastle thermostable vaccine proves its efficacy when administered through an eye drop or mixed into drinking water.
Freeze dried (pellet) AVIVAX I-2 Newcastle disease vaccine should be stored at +2 to +8 degrees Celsius or under refrigeration, away from direct sunlight. The AVIVAX I-2 ND vaccine can maintain its protective capabilities for 8 weeks at 28 degrees Celsius when stored in its freeze-dried form in the dark.
Remember that vaccinations are best performed in the shade or during morning hours.
Once diluted, the vaccine will last for only two hours under field conditions. The Newcastle disease vaccine is best administered using a dropper to place one drop into the eye of the chicken.
The dropper should be purchased with the vaccine and should be calibrated to ensure that the drop is the correct size and that the plastic material will not
destroy the vaccine.
Reconstituting the vaccine
The correct reconstitution of the vaccine is important. Boil local water and leave to cool in a covered container.
- Do not use metal containers to store boiled water.
- Do not use treated tap water because the chemicals in the water will destroy the vaccine (If alternative water sources are unavailable, let the tap water stand overnight to allow the evaporation of chlorine).
- Remove the aluminium seal from the vaccine vial.
- Utilize a syringe to measure 10 ml of prepared water for a 100-dose vial or 5 ml for a 50-dose vial, adding it to the vaccine vial.
- Gently mix the vaccine by shaking the vial.
- Remove the rubber stopper and, using a dropper, carefully draw the reconstituted vaccine into the dropper.
- Instruct your assistant or the bird’s owner to hold the chicken horizontally, with one eye facing you.
- Hold the eye dropper vertically, gently squeezing to allow one drop of the vaccine to fall into the chicken’s eye before releasing the bird.
- Ask the vaccine supplier what volume of water is required to dilute the vaccine correctly.
- After diluting the vaccine, use it within one hour.
Always adhere to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
After reconstitution:
- The vaccine maintains its potency for two days.
- On the first day, administer one drop per chicken.
- If any reconstituted vaccine remains, store it in a cool box or a refrigerator at +4 to -8 degrees Celsius.
- On the second day, administer two drops during vaccination and discard any remaining vaccine.
Vaccination Guidelines:
- Start vaccination one month before the Newcastle disease outbreak period.
- The dosage, consisting of one eye drop, is the same for chickens of all ages.
- If the initial eye drop does not fully enter the eye, apply a second drop.
- Utilize the eye droppers provided by the vaccine stockists.
- Avoid vaccinating chicken that are sick.
- Chicken may be consumed immediately after vaccination.
- The vaccine does not pose any issues for humans.
- Remember that it takes 7 to 14 days for chicken to develop sufficient protection against Newcastle disease after vaccination.
- Ensure chicken are vaccinated every 4 months, as their level of vaccine protection starts to diminish after this period.
Maintaining eye droppers is crucial for effective vaccination. After use, clean them with non-chlorinated water, avoiding soap. Store them securely, inspecting for everyday wear and tear. Regular maintenance ensures their readiness for future use, contributing to successful vaccination procedures.
Control Measures During an Outbreak:
- Do not sell or give away sick birds, as the disease can spread between farms through the movement of infected birds.
- Recognize that the disease can also be transmitted via the movement of people, vehicles, other animals, and parts and products of infected birds (such as eggs,feathers, offal, etc.).
- Isolate sick chicken from healthy ones and ensure that water and food are provided for the sick birds.
- In cases of severe illness, it is advisable to sacrifice the affected bird.
- Burn or bury dead birds and any unused parts of the chicken.
- Avoid vaccinating sick birds.
- During the initial stages of a Newcastle disease outbreak on a farm, vaccination is not recommended, as it is challenging to identify birds that may be incubating the disease without displaying signs of illness.
- After an outbreak, wait for at least one month following the death of the last chicken before introducing new birds.
- Always reach out to the local Veterinary Services, Extension Service, or your community livestock worker when birds exhibit signs of illness or when there are concerns about poor production.
Key Benefits of AVIVAX 1-2 ND Vaccine
| Charecteristic | Benefits |
| Thermostability | The vaccine remains effective even when exposed to varying temperatures |
| Multipurpose Administration | It can be administered through eye or nose drops and in drinking water.It can also be mixed with specifc feeds or injected into the bird. |
| User-friendly | Easy administration makes it suitable for use by farmers |
| Contact Transmission | The Vaccine strain can be transmitted by contact from vaccinated to non-vaccinated birds |
| Safe for all Ages | It is avirulent and can be safely given to chicken of any age ,from day-old chicks to adults |
| Biological Safety | Has demonstarted superior biological safety compared to other living ND vaccine starins such as B1 or La sota |