Enhancing village chicken productivity through parasite management for effective newcastle disease vaccination in Kenya
Abstract
205 words
Newcastle disease (ND) is documented among the most
important diseases of poultry in the world, causing devastating
losses in both commercial and village chickens. It is capable of
causing mortality rates of up to 100% of the flock and, as a
viral disease, can only be effectively controlled through
vaccination. The disease is endemic in village chickens in
Eastern province of Kenya. On the other hand, parasites, which
have a tendency of causing stress to the birds through nutrient
consumption, blood sucking, and irritation, have been isolated
at high levels from chickens from this area. Knowing that stress
is associated with immune-suppression, it is important to establish
the extent at which parasite burdens influence the effectiveness
of ND vaccine. We hypothesize that the presence of internal
and external parasites lowers ND vaccination response in village
chickens. This study will, therefore, address the identified
knowledge gaps with the aim of improving ND and parasite
control in village chicken production. It will determine the extent
at which external and internal parasite burdens influence
vaccination response to ND in the productivity of village
chickens, and will also establish (1) productivity and socioeconomic
parameters, (2) seasonal parasite burdens, and (3)
effect of endoparasites and ectoparasites on ND vaccine
response.
Subjects
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