KARACHI: Wildlife experts are worried by the recent mass-death of wild peacocks in Pakistan, fearing it may be an outbreak of the highly contagious Newcastle disease.
It is reported that at least 60 peacocks have been found dead in the Thar Desert in southern
Pakistan, but local media reports say hundreds of the colourful birds have died.
Newcastle disease is the deadliest of all viruses spread among birds.
The Pakistani wildlife ministry said tests were being done to determine cause of death, but experts suspect they may have been afflicted with Newcastle disease, known locally as ‘ranikhet’.
A spokesperson said the wild peacocks had been weakened by starvation, deforestation and a
lack of safe drinking water blamed on delays to the annual monsoon rains.
Although the wildlife ministry said there are 30,000 wild peacocks in the Thar Desert, but
the numbers are declining, because of poaching and lack of effective conservation.
Newcastle disease was discovered in Newcastle upon Tyne, England in 1926. Its effects are
most notable in domestic poultry due to their high susceptibility and the potential for
severe impacts of an epizootic on the poultry industries. It is endemic to many countries.
No treatment for the virus exists, but the use of prophylactic vaccines and sanitary
measures reduces the likelihood of outbreaks.
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