Top 7 Poultry Diseases in Nigeria and How to Prevent Them

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Poultry farming in Nigeria, although rewarding, comes with its fair share of challenges, with diseases being one of the most significant. For anyone operating in the poultry value chain, understanding the key disease threats is non-negotiable. In fact, studies have shown that diseases like Newcastle Disease alone account for up to 36% of all poultry disease cases in Nigeria, and outbreaks can sometimes wipe out entire flocks. Below is a deep dive into seven of the most important poultry diseases in Nigeria and practical steps for preventing them.

Newcastle Disease (ND)

Newcastle Disease is a highly contagious viral infection that affects the respiratory, nervous, and digestive systems of birds. Infected birds may exhibit symptoms like coughing, sneezing, twisted necks, drooping wings, and a sharp drop in egg production.

Birds infected with Newcastle may first show signs of respiratory distress like sneezing, coughing, and gasping for air. As it progresses, you may notice watery greenish diarrhoea, lethargy, and nervous signs like twisted necks and paralysis. In layers, egg production drops drastically, and eggs laid may be deformed. In many outbreaks, sudden death occurs without much warning, especially in younger or unvaccinated birds.

Outbreaks in Nigeria tend to follow seasonal patterns, especially during the harmattan period when birds are more stressed.

Prevention

• Vaccination remains the most effective control strategy. The Lasota strain is widely used in Nigeria for routine immunisation.
  
• Strengthening biosecurity, especially by restricting visitor movement and disinfecting equipment regularly.
  
• Maintaining good ventilation and reducing overcrowding to limit stress and pathogen spread.

Avian Influenza (AI)

Often referred to as bird flu, Avian Influenza is a zoonotic viral disease, meaning it can be transmitted from birds to humans. Nigeria has faced several outbreaks over the years, especially with the H5N1 strain.

Symptoms can vary depending on the strain. In the highly pathogenic form (e.g., H5N1), you may observe swelling around the head, combs turning dark purple or bluish, watery eyes, and nasal discharge. Affected birds become very weak and may isolate themselves. A hallmark of AI outbreaks is rapid and unexplained mortality. The entire flock can die off within days.

Prevention

• Early detection and culling of affected flocks are crucial to preventing large-scale outbreaks.
  
• Avoiding contact between domestic poultry and wild birds, which often serve as carriers.
  
• Government and private sector actors should continue investing in surveillance systems, especially near wet markets and border areas.

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Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Eimeria. It mostly affects young birds and can lead to intestinal damage, bloody droppings, poor weight gain, and high mortality if left unchecked. The disease thrives in wet, dirty litter conditions that are unfortunately common in poorly managed farms.

Early symptoms include reluctance to eat, huddling, ruffled feathers, and loose droppings. As the disease progresses, you may notice blood in the faeces, a sign of intestinal damage. Birds become anaemic, lose weight rapidly, and may develop a hunched posture. In severe cases, mortality spikes within a matter of days

Prevention

• Practising strict litter management by keeping the floor dry and clean.
  
• Using coccidiostats in feed or water as a preventive measure, especially in high-risk seasons.
  
• Introducing rotational floor cleaning practices and discouraging the rearing of multiple age groups in the same space.

Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD or Gumboro)

IBD affects the immune system of young birds, primarily the bursa of Fabricius, weakening their ability to fight other infections. It’s especially dangerous because it often opens the door to secondary infections.

Early signs include depression, ruffled feathers, and watery diarrhoea. The vent area is often soiled and inflamed. Birds may peck at their vents due to irritation. While some recover, many become more susceptible to secondary infections. In unvaccinated flocks, mortality can be as high as 60%.

Prevention

• Vaccination during the appropriate age window (usually between 2–3 weeks).
  
• Maintaining clean housing environments, as the virus is quite hardy and can survive in the environment for a long time.
  
• Using disinfectants proven to work against IBD virus strains.
  

Fowl Typhoid

Caused by Salmonella gallinarum, fowl typhoid is a bacterial infection that affects birds of all ages but is particularly deadly for layers. One major challenge is that the disease can spread through eggs, meaning hatcheries can unknowingly become sources of infection. Infected birds show general weakness, dullness, and decreased appetite. 

Diarrhoea is common, usually greenish or yellowish, with a foul odour. Birds become dehydrated and may show a drooping posture. In layers, egg production drops, and some birds may die without prior symptoms. Chronic cases lead to poor growth rates and economic losses.

Prevention

• Implementing regular health checks and pulling out carriers from the flock.
  
• Maintaining clean water systems, since contaminated water is a common transmission route.
  
• Introducing biosecurity education for farmhands to reduce accidental spread through footwear, clothing, or tools. 

Infectious Bronchitis (IB)

Infectious Bronchitis is another viral disease that primarily affects the respiratory tract. The disease spreads fast, particularly in poorly ventilated or overcrowded houses. Early signs include sneezing, nasal discharge, watery eyes, and wheezing. Chicks may huddle under the heat source and appear drowsy. In layers, egg production falls, and eggs become thin-shelled or rough-textured. The disease spreads rapidly via aerosols and contact with contaminated surfaces.

Prevention

• Vaccination using the appropriate IBV strains based on regional epidemiology.
  
• Ensuring optimal airflow and housing density, especially in large commercial setups.
  
• Isolating new birds before introducing them into existing flocks to prevent introduction of new strains.

Aspergillosis

Unlike most of the diseases mentioned above, Aspergillosis is a fungal infection (caused by Aspergillus fumigatus), not a viral or bacterial infection. It usually occurs when birds inhale spores from mouldy litter or feed.

Symptoms include laboured breathing, gasping, and voice changes (in older birds). In chicks, the infection often proves fatal within days. Affected birds become weak, isolate themselves, and display poor weight gain. Unlike other diseases, there’s no diarrhoea, which often makes diagnosis harder unless a necropsy is done.

Prevention

• Storing feed properly in cool, dry places, away from moisture.
  
• Replacing mouldy bedding materials immediately and avoiding sawdust that’s not properly dried.
  
• Investing in proper ventilation, especially in deep litter systems.

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What Measures Should We Take?

While disease prevention is largely the farmer’s responsibility, agritech founders and other stakeholders have roles to play if we are to have profitable poultry ventures in Nigeria. Innovations around farm sensors, real-time health alerts, and digital vaccination schedules can help scale preventive practices. Likewise, stakeholders funding extension services or feed systems should integrate disease-awareness modules into their offerings.

There’s also room for collaborative platforms that link farmers to reliable vet services, diagnostics, and vaccination programs. Reducing the disease burden means investing in systems that prevent them in the first place.

Final Thoughts

Poultry farming can be highly rewarding, but only when health is managed proactively. The diseases covered here represent some of the most persistent threats Nigerian poultry farmers face.

With the right mix of vaccines, hygiene, biosecurity, and awareness, farmers can avoid the worst outcomes. And when those building tech, finance, and advisory solutions for the sector begin to embed disease control into their models, poultry farming can become safer.