Newcastle disease hits Msia egg farms, affecting Sg supply

Clivebenss SG

By Ng Lian Cheong | Posted: 19 October 2010 2128 hrs

SINGAPORE : Chickens in some farms in Malacca and Johor have been affected by the Newcastle disease - a viral disease that causes chickens to lay smaller-than-usual eggs.

And this has affected supply of eggs in Singapore.

Compared to a month ago, there has been a decrease in egg imports by about 1.5 million or 7 per cent.

Singapore's Eggs Import and Export Trading Association said prices for eggs have also increased three cents.

Demand is also higher for larger eggs.

Newcastle disease is a contagious bird disease and is more common in Southeast Asia. Its effects are most notable in domestic poultry due to their high susceptibility.

According to the association, although the chickens are slowly recovering from the disease, the production of eggs has not gone up as quickly.

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) is monitoring the situation. - CNA /ls

Clivebenss SG

some interesting facts:

Exposure of humans to infected birds (for example in poultry processing plants) can cause mild conjuctivitis and influenza-like symptoms, but the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) otherwise poses no hazard to human health. Interest in the use of NDV as an anticancer agent has arisen from the ability of NDV to selectively kill human tumour cells with limited toxicity to normal cells.

likeyou SG

So prices of egg increases...when will it reduced when back to normal?

Clivebenss SG

may be not.

trolol SG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wubgAIiWpY

Clivebenss SG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wubgAIiWpY

interesting.

Clivebenss SG

By Vanessa Jalleh

THE Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) has dispelled rumours that eggs imported from Malaysian farms may carry the Newcastle Disease.

The AVA on Friday reassures the public that the disease does not pose a threat to food safety as it only affects animal health and farm production.

Together with the Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia (DVS), the AVA have been assessing the situation, which include trips to the affected farms.

The teams did not observe high mortality of chickens in these farms and noted that the vaccination against Newcastle Disease had been effective.

The egg exporters have also given assurance that egg exports to Singapore will not be affected.

Singapore imports about 3.7 million eggs, 125,000 broiler chickens and 20,000 broiler ducks from Malaysia daily.

AVA said in a statement it will continue to work closely with DVS to ensure safe and adequate supply of eggs and poultry to Singapore.