Ranikhet Disease deals a death blow to poultry farmers in Khammam on Andhra Pradesh borders

Ranikhet Disease is also known as Newcastle disease has begun affecting poultry farmers in Khammam on the borders of Andhra Pradesh. The disease is known as Kokkera Vyadhi in Telugu

Khammam: A large number of chickens in poultry farms died of Ranikhet disease (RD), which is also known as Newcastle disease causing financial losses to the farm owners.  The incidence of RD has been found in VM Banjar, Penuballi and Kallur mandal in Khammam district. Poultry farms at Payapur, Yagnanarayanapuram, Korlagudem, Peruvancha, Vennavelli and other villages in Kallur mandal are the most affected.

Similarly, poultry farms near Bhadrachalam in Kothagudem district have also been affected. When contacted district veterinary and animal husbandry officer (DVAHO), Dr. KV Narayana informed that the disease has been found in the poultry farmers located on the borders of Andhra Pradesh while the farms in other areas are not affected.

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It was first reported in Penuballi mandal. Veterinary teams visited the farms, diagnosed the disease and advised the farmers about the precautions to be taken to stop the spread of the disease as well as in disposing of the dead chickens. The disease was caused due to the unhygienic conditions prevailing in the poultry farms. The owners of the farms have to clean the bird litter and the farm area should be cleaned with sanitary liquids, he suggested.

Dr. Narayana, who is also in-charge of Warangal and Hanamkonda districts, said that the RD cases are not found in those districts. The situation in Penuballi is also under control and the poultry farmers in other areas are also advised to follow safety measures. Layers, broilers and country chicken are vulnerable to Ranikhet disease which is called ‘Kokkera vyadhi’ in Telugu. Common symptoms are gasping, coughing, drooping wings, dragging legs, twisting of the head and neck. drop in egg production and mortality as high as 100 percent in severe cases.

Since RD has a zoonotic effect, those living in the affected areas better stay away from chicken consumption, advised the officials. Exact number of birds died and the loss caused are yet to be ascertained, they added.