(A young boy and his chicken)
Village Poultry Health
In collaboration with Drs. Graham Crawford and Susan Ostapak (veterinarians from San Francisco) and Drs. Robyn Alders and Brigitte Bagnol of the Kyeema Foundation, we conducted a participatory epidemiological appraisal of poultry health in the Makira Protected Area. We found the presence of virulent strains of Newcastle Disease in chickens and Fowl Cholera in ducks. In the near future, we are hoping to develop a programmatic response to reduce the incidence of Newcastle Disease through preventative steps to avoid infection in villages and through developing a vaccine program. Our foreign collaborators, in addition to our local team led by Dr. Rijaniaina Ambinintsoa Ralaiarison, hope that through local prevention and vaccination chicken and egg production will flourish. As a conservation aim, we are seeking to learn whether or not improved animal husbandry techniques and avoided disease deaths will have an impact on local people's reliance on wildlife for food.
(Chickens in the Makira Protected Area are heavily affected by Newcastle Disease)
In collaboration with Drs. Graham Crawford and Susan Ostapak (veterinarians from San Francisco) and Drs. Robyn Alders and Brigitte Bagnol of the Kyeema Foundation, we conducted a participatory epidemiological appraisal of poultry health in the Makira Protected Area. We found the presence of virulent strains of Newcastle Disease in chickens and Fowl Cholera in ducks. In the near future, we are hoping to develop a programmatic response to reduce the incidence of Newcastle Disease through preventative steps to avoid infection in villages and through developing a vaccine program. Our foreign collaborators, in addition to our local team led by Dr. Rijaniaina Ambinintsoa Ralaiarison, hope that through local prevention and vaccination chicken and egg production will flourish. As a conservation aim, we are seeking to learn whether or not improved animal husbandry techniques and avoided disease deaths will have an impact on local people's reliance on wildlife for food.
(Chickens in the Makira Protected Area are heavily affected by Newcastle Disease)
