Vaccination best remedy against Newcastle disease

There are reports that a wave of Newcastle disease is sweeping through poultry farms in Wakiso district. According to Wakiso district veterinary officer, Gerald Kalembe, some farms have registered 100% losses of birds. 

"The best remedy against Newcastle is vaccination of the birds as directed," says Chris Magezi, director of Champrisa International and a poultry keeping trainer at the annual Harvest Money expo. He says that if farmers do not vaccinate as directed, then they are bound to make losses.

Handling vaccines

Newcastle vaccines, just like all the other vaccines is very sensitive. This is why it has to be kept under a given temperature and handled carefully if it is to remain effective. It is sold in liquid form.

It should be kept under a storage temperature of around 30-37 degrees Celsius for 3 days and if it stays longer, at 22-29 degrees Celsius for two weeks. But as a farmer, you would rather buy it at a time when you are about to use it. This means that you buy the exact quantities that you need for the chicken if possible.

But before buying, take note of the manufacturers expiry date because some dealers are known to sell expired farm inputs. It should be transported under proper cold conditions. If you have a cool box, use it.

When it comes to application, make one drop in one of the chicken`s eyes only. All age groups of chicken can be vaccinated. Revaccinate after every four months.

Directions for use

For Intranasal or Intraocular Vaccination (1,000 Dose Bottles Only)

These Newcastle Disease Vaccines accompanied by diluent are recommended for the vaccination of healthy chickens one day of age or older.

1. Rehydrate 1 vial of vaccine with 1 vial of diluent.
2. Remove seal and stopper from vaccine and diluent vials. Avoid contamination of stoppers and contents.
3. Add diluent to half-fill the vaccine vial. Replace stopper and shake until contents are dissolved.
4. Pour the rehydrated vaccine into the diluent container. Replace stopper and shake.
5. Remove stopper and fit drop-dispenser tip into diluent container.
6. To vaccinate intranasally, place finger over one of the bird's nostrils and place 1 drop of vaccine in the other nostril. Do not release bird until vaccine has been inhaled.
7. To vaccinate intraocularly, place 1 drop of vaccine in the eye.

For drinking-water vaccination

These Newcastle Disease vaccines are recommended for the vaccination of healthy chickens 2 weeks of age or older.

1. Discontinue use of medications or sanitizing agents in the drinking water 24 hours before vaccinating. Do not resume use for 24 hours following vaccination.
2. Water used for the drinking-water administration of a live virus vaccine must be non-chlorinated.
3. Provide enough waterers so two-thirds of the birds may drink at one time. Scrub waterers, with fresh, clean, non-chlorinated water, and use no disinfectant. Let the waterers drain dry.
4. Turn off automatic waterers, so the only available water is the vaccine water. Do not give vaccine water through medication tanks.
5. Withhold water for 2 hours before vaccinating. Do not deprive the birds of water if the temperature is extremely high.
6. Remove seal from vaccine vial.
7. Remove stopper and half-fill with clean, cool, non-chlorinated water.
8. Replace stopper and shake until dissolved.
9. Use a clean container two-thirds filled with cool, clean, non-chlorinated water.

Stir the mixture until the dried milk is dissolved.

10. Add the rehydrated vaccine from the vial and again stir the contents thoroughly.
11. Next, add the mixture to the final volume of water, as follows:

12. Give 1 dose of vaccine per bird.
13. Distribute the final volume of vaccine water evenly among the clean waterers. Do not place the waterers in direct sunlight. Resume regular water administration only after all the vaccine water has been consumed.

For Spray Vaccination

These Newcastle Disease Vaccines may be used for the revaccination of healthy chickens 4 weeks of age or older by spraying the vaccine solution above the chickens. A sprayer that delivers a coarse spray quickly and evenly is recommended.

1. Remove seal from a vial of vaccine.
2. Remove the stopper and half-fill vial with cool, distilled water.
3. Replace stopper and shake until vaccine is in solution.
4. Pour rehydrated vaccine into a clean container and add cool, distilled water per chart below and shake thoroughly.

5. Apply at the rate of 100 mL rehydrated vaccine per 1,000 doses as outlined below:

6. Place the vaccine solution in the sprayer canister, set the discharge control at "low" and walk through the house, spraying at the rate of 1,000 birds per minute. Direct the spray above the heads of the birds.
7. Whatever volume of vaccine solution is used in the sprayer, take care to administer 1 dose per 1 bird. See chart below:

8. This spray method of vaccination should be employed in poultry houses where air movement can be reduced to a minimum. Before spraying the vaccine solution, close the house and shut off mechanical ventilation. Maintain these conditions both during spraying and for 20 minutes afterwards.
9. Wear goggles and a face mask while spraying.
10. Any sprayer used for application of a live virus vaccine should be used for no other purpose.

Precautions

If possible, vaccinate all susceptible birds on the premises at the same time. For 10 to 14 days after vaccinating, avoid carrying vaccine particles on shoes, clothing, etc., into areas where there are unvaccinated birds.

Newcastle Disease Vaccine virus is capable of causing a mild, irritating eye infection in humans, lasting about 3 days. Do not allow vaccine to contact the eyes.