The directorate of animal resources and fisheries in Yei River State has announced an outbreak of chicken diseases in the county following reports by poultry farmers of massive chicken deaths in the area.

James Yamara Duku, the director general for animal resources in Yei told Radio Tamazuj that for the last two months, the county has lost a lot of poultry to two diseases.

 “We have found out that the chicken have been suffering and dying from Newcastle and Gomboro diseases and for the last two months, we have lost a lot of chicken and many chicken are seen dying up to today,” he said.

Yamara said the state lacks vaccines that could save chicken and animals.

“At the moment, we could not move to the areas to conduct vaccination because we are lacking the vaccines. We are calling on FAO to come to our rescue and supply us with vaccines for both chicken and animals so that we are able to help the poultry keepers here,” he appealed.

Local residents say infected chicken show signs such as diarrhea, lowering of their wings and general body weakness shortly before they die.

Newcastle disease is a contagious viral bird disease affecting many domestic and wild birds and can be transmitted to humans.