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By: Nukanah Kollie /[email protected]
Bong County, Liberia – As Liberia’s poultry sector continues to grow and play an essential role in food security and rural livelihoods, it is now facing a serious challenge: recurring outbreaks of deadly poultry diseases, most notably Newcastle disease, commonly referred to by farmers as “chicken sickness.”
According to Mr. Roland Varkpeh, Director of Animal Production at the Ministry of Agriculture in Liberia, the disease has become a major threat to poultry farmers across all 15 counties of Liberia. It affects both free-range and commercial farms and results in widespread losses.
Speaking to the Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network recently during a five-day pre-validation exercise of the National Poverty Strategy held at the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) compound in Suakoko District, Director Varkpeh confirmed that the Ministry, through its Animal Resources Division, and in collaboration with partners including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the One Health Platform, has been actively responding to growing reports of poultry deaths nationwide. “We’ve received many reports and conducted field visits, collected samples, and carried out laboratory testing. The results show Newcastle disease as the major cause behind the high mortality among poultry,” Varkpeh stated during an interview with this outlet.
What is Newcastle Disease?
Newcastle disease is a highly contagious viral infection that causes respiratory distress, nervous symptoms, and sudden death in birds. It is particularly devastating in low-resource settings where veterinary support and preventive vaccination are limited. According to the Ministry, the disease tends to peak during the rainy season, when conditions for disease spread are more favorable and biosecurity measures are often relaxed.
The disease is endemic in West Africa, with neighboring countries like Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, and Sierra Leone also experiencing significant outbreaks. https://ouci.dntb.gov.ua/en/works/4k6LpbK7 / In Côte d’Ivoire, ND is a major cause of poultry mortality, affecting both village and commercial farms.
Studies indicate that ND outbreaks are closely associated with age, type, and species of birds, vaccination status, flock size, source of birds, and feed. In Nigeria, ND outbreaks were observed to peak during the dry harmattan period (November to February) with another marginal peak recorded during the height of the rainy season (June to July). The disease’s impact is particularly severe in rural communities, where poultry farming serves as a primary source of income and nutrition.
The impact has been especially severe in rural communities, where poultry farming serves as a primary source of income and nutrition. Some farmers have lost entire flocks, and even larger commercial operations have reported significant financial losses.
Government and Partner Interventions
In response, the Ministry of Agriculture, with support from FAO, ECOWAS, and the One Health Platform—a multi-sectoral initiative involving the Ministry of Health, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and others—has rolled out several key interventions: field assessments, rapid farm response, sample collection with lab testing to identify outbreaks, emergency vaccination in high-risk areas, community education on prevention and biosecurity, and training for county-level surveillance and animal health officers are all integral components of the coordinated disease control strategy. “Once we receive reports, our officers are deployed to assess and collect samples. Tests have confirmed Newcastle disease in several counties. The best way forward is periodic vaccination, and we’re urging all farmers to adopt it,” Varkpeh emphasized.
ECOWAS Livestock Mobility Program
One of the Ministry’s flagship programs, supported by ECOWAS, focuses on livestock mobility management. The goal is to regulate the movement of animals, especially across borders, to prevent the spread of transboundary animal diseases. “We’re working under the ECOWAS regional livestock mobility initiative. It helps us track and manage animal movement, build capacity among farmers, and train our field officers,” Fakber explained.
This program also addresses herder-farmer conflicts, animal identification, and tracking systems to better control disease transmission across communities.
Progress and Achievements
Despite the recurring outbreaks, the Ministry reports tangible progress: over 100 animal health and livestock officers have been trained, community-based animal health worker networks established in all counties, laboratory testing and diagnostics strengthened through international partnerships, support provided for local feed production and improved poultry breeds, and farmer engagement in disease prevention practices has increased.
These efforts have led to stabilization in poultry production in several regions, especially among organized cooperatives and commercial poultry actors in counties like Bong, Margibi, and Nimba.
Challenges in Combating Poultry Diseases
While the Ministry has made notable strides, several persistent challenges remain: limited access to affordable vaccines, especially in remote areas, inadequate cold chain infrastructure, low farmer awareness of disease symptoms and prevention, understaffed veterinary teams in some counties, and irregular funding and logistical support all hinder sustained disease control interventions.
Furthermore, factors like climate change, poor infrastructure, and unregulated cross-border trade continue to complicate disease control efforts.
A Call to Action
The Ministry of Agriculture is urging all poultry farmers to stay informed, vigilant, and in close contact with their local livestock officers and surveillance teams. Farmers are also encouraged to report early symptoms of illness in their birds and participate in upcoming vaccination campaigns. “We encourage our farmers to remain engaged. If you’re facing any challenge on your farm, reach out to the Ministry or your county surveillance officer. We’re here to provide the necessary technical support,” said Mr. Varkpeh.
Outlook for the Sector
As the poultry sector continues to recover and expand, the combined efforts of the government, international partners, and local stakeholders are laying the groundwork for a more resilient and sustainable poultry industry in Liberia. Continued investment in disease surveillance, farmer training, and vaccine access will be key to protecting the livelihoods of poultry farmers and safeguarding national food security.
