Poultry farms in Babil face losses amid seasonal viral infections

BABIL, November 2 — Poultry farms in Babil are suffering from seasonal viral infections, resulting in the deaths of thousands of chickens and significant financial losses for owners. Those losses are translated into higher market prices with lowered supply.

Veterinarians have blamed the situation primarily on imports as well as temperature fluctuations as the seasons change.

Nabil Al-Masoudi, a poultry farm owner, stated, “Poultry farms during this time of year are prone to seasonal viral infections, which cannot be controlled despite sterilization and care. These infections have led to financial losses exceeding 20 million dinars, and many breeders have suffered similar losses due to these infections.”

He continued,”The poultry sector has turned into a kind of gamble in terms of profit and loss following these significant infections. The infections have led to a decrease in poultry, subsequently raising their price from 3,250 to 4,000 dinars.”

Dr. Ahmed Emad, a veterinary doctor, explained, “There are seasonal diseases that affect poultry farms with infection rates reaching up to 40 percent, leading to the death of many chickens. The most dangerous of these infections are the Newcastle virus, which causes poultry mortality, as well as influenza, IP, coryza, and moderately severe infections. Farm owners try to avoid the danger of infections by using vaccines given to poultry, which raises virus resistance to around 60 percent.”

Dr. Ahmed Farhud, Director of the Veterinary Hospital in Babil, added, “We have direct supervision over poultry farms in the governorate’s districts and areas, whether they are broiler poultry farms or white chickens, and we conduct laboratory tests on them. We also coordinate with the police to inspect poultry entering the governorate via imports, ensuring they are free from diseases and viruses. The majority of the viruses have settled in the governorate due to the imports entering Iraq from abroad, becoming active during seasons of temperature fluctuations.”