242 chickens die from Fowl Cholera in Gaadhiffushi

The Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture has said that 242 chickens have died in Thaa Gaadhiffushi between 12 and 20 December, from Fowl Cholera.

The ministry said that post-mortems were conducted to determine the cause of death of the chickens, and that samples have been sent abroad to conduct further tests to confirm that the chickens died from Fowl Cholera.

The ministry’s Chief Veterinarian has confirmed that the chickens did not die from Avian Influenza or Newcastle Disease, which unlike Fowl Cholera, can affect humans.

The chickens in Gaadhiffushi contracted the disease through contact with ill chickens that were taken to the island from elsewhere, said the ministry.

The disease is spread through contact, such as of discharges during coughing and sneezing, between chickens. Signs of infection can be severe depression, dark-purple discoloration of skin, and mucus coming out of the beak.