KUALA LUMPUR: The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) has swung into action to contain the infectious bronchitis (IB) outbreak which has left thousands of poultry chicken dead, says Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry deputy secretary-general (policy) Mohd Sallehhuddin Hassan.
Mohd Sallehhuddin said that based on initial reports, some poultry farmers did not use IB vaccines while others claimed that existing stocks were no longer effective.
"DVS staff have already gone down to the farms concerned to find out what is really happening. We are worried that there is manipulation by suppliers to hike prices.
"We do not deny that there is an outbreak (of IB). It is not uncommon – just that the price of chicken skyrocketed this festive season," he said after attending the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority's Aidilfitri open house in Puchong near here Tuesday.
Mohd Sallehhuddin said the ministry was not dismissing the possibility that new vaccines will be needed if existing stocks are no longer effective.
On Monday, the Selangor Poultry Farmers Association in its newsletter claimed that IB, which causes breathing difficulties because of the accumulation of phlegm in the throats of chicken, had left thousands of birds dead, resulting in a 20% drop in chicken production in the country.
Since Thursday, the price of chicken has shot up by RM2 to RM3 a kilo above the ceiling price of RM7.90 a kilo. – Bernama
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