Poultry diseases in southern Somalia

Poultry, also recognized as universal food, as poultry meat and eggs enjoy zero religious’ restrictions, unlike pork and beef. Being universal and accepted by all religions, the demand of poultry increased globally hence the trend of rearing is also increased. Poultry meat and eggs are main source of protein, household nutrition and income in developing countries. In Somali economy, still the Livestock sector act a crucial component and become a backbone. Like other countries, the poultry production in Somalia is also an important component of the livestock sub-sector. Development of the poultry sub-sector contribute in income foreign currency, employment, food and nutrition security, and women’s economic employment in rural areas. In Somalia, Poultry keeping is widespread among poor house-holds and now commercial poultry farming is also on the rise, particularly in urban areas.

Hence, a retrospective study was designed to investigate the prevalence of poultry diseases in southern Somalia (Mogadishu, Baidoa and Kismayo Cities)  from January 2018 to August 2020. A total of 4042 diseased cases were recorded, among them  the prevalence of viral diseases was noticed higher in all three Cities (Mogadishu City: 37.36%, Baidoa City: 39.53% and Kismayo City: 46%) followed by bacterial disease, parasitic disease and non-infectious disease (Mogadishu City: 30.64%, 17.25%, 14.42%, Baidoa City: 32.11%, 14.84%, 12.19% and Kismayo City: 30.39%, 14.93%, 10.28% respectively). As far we know, no such report was published yet so we conduct this study which may help in developing control strategies against poultry diseases and formulating the policy at govern-ment level in future.

Full text at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4639417