{"id":85390,"date":"2025-04-04T09:28:05","date_gmt":"2025-04-04T02:28:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.medion.co.id\/?p=85390"},"modified":"2025-07-16T13:47:57","modified_gmt":"2025-07-16T06:47:57","slug":"waspada-nd-dan-ai-mengintai-peternakan-itik","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.medion.co.id\/en\/info-medion\/beware-of-nd-and-ai-lurking-in-duck-farms\/","title":{"rendered":"Beware of ND and AI Lurking in Duck Farms"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ducks are a type of waterfowl (waterfowls<\/em>) that have long been recognized and utilized by communities as a source of animal protein in the form of meat and eggs. To this day, the demand for duck meat and eggs continues to rise, providing opportunities for farmers to expand their duck farming operations. According to the Livestock and Animal Health Statistics Data 2024<\/em>, the national poultry population in 2024 increased compared to 2023, particularly for ducks, which reached 36.7 million heads \u2014 an increase of 33.48%. Based on the same data, the contribution of duck meat production in 2024 was recorded at 33.82 thousand tons, up by 2.41% compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, duck egg production in 2024 reached 236.48 thousand tons, marking an 18.11% increase from the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Duck Meat Farming<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Although duck farming is quite promising, various challenges in duck production still need to be carefully anticipated by farmers. Examples include the presence of disease agents and changing environmental conditions. Setioko et al.<\/em> (2004) stated that the growth and development of ducks are strongly influenced by management, genetic, nutritional, and environmental factors. If these factors are not adequately met, they can negatively affect duck performance and increase susceptibility to diseases.\n\nAccording to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG)<\/em>, rainfall levels in April 2025 are predicted to remain relatively high. The rainy season is considered the main challenge in duck farming, as such environmental conditions can naturally cause stress and weaken the ducks\u2019 immune system. Some of the most common diseases found in ducks are Avian Influenza<\/em> (AI) and Newcastle Disease<\/em> (ND).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Weather Forecast for April 2025<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

ND and AI Disease Cases in Ducks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Indonesia, duck farming has begun to develop more intensively. However, disease cases are still frequently found in duck farms. Based on clinical and pathological diagnoses collected by the Technical Education & Consultation<\/em> team of Medion, about 15% of reported duck disease cases are caused by infectious agents in the form of viruses. Examples include ND and AI, which are commonly found in duck farms. ND and AI rank first and second among viral diseases in ducks during the 2021\u20132024 period (Figure 1).Select 15 more words to run Humanizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Figure 1. Ranking of Viral Diseases in Ducks<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Confirmation of diagnosis through laboratory testing was also carried out to verify ND or AI cases in the field. Several samples were identified as positive through PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction<\/em>) testing from 2021 to February 2025, as shown in Figure 2. Based on PCR-confirmed data of positive ND and AI cases in ducks, the number of samples that tested positive for AI H5N1, H9N2, and ND increased in 2024 compared to the previous year. Even as of February 2025, several duck samples were still found positive for AI H5N1. This situation calls for heightened awareness and preparedness to ensure that ND and AI cases do not occur in our farms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Figure 2. Data on Positive ND-AI Cases in Ducks (Confirmed by PCR Test)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Causes of ND and AI Diseases<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Newcastle Disease<\/em> (ND), also known as Tetelo, is caused by the Avian paramyxovirus-1<\/em>, an enveloped, single-stranded RNA virus. ND is an acute viral disease that is highly contagious among ducks of all age groups, with a short incubation period of about 4\u20136 days. The disease primarily spreads through the air or aerosols, but it can also be transmitted via contaminated feed, drinking water, or equipment. ND can affect multiple organ systems, including the respiratory, nervous, digestive, and reproductive systems.\n\nThis virus often causes severe and widespread losses in duck farms. Based on its virulence, ND viruses are classified into four groups, ranging from the most to the least virulent: Velogenic ND, Mesogenic ND, Lentogenic ND, and Apathogenic enterotrophic<\/em> ND. In Indonesia, most ND outbreaks are caused by the highly virulent Velogenic strain, particularly ND Genotype 7 (ND G7).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avian Influenza<\/em> (AI), or bird flu, is caused by the Orthomyxovirus<\/em>, which belongs to the genus Influenzavirus<\/em> A. The AI virus is an enveloped, single-stranded RNA virus with a very short incubation period ranging from a few hours to three days. This virus contains two key proteins used to determine its subtype: Hemagglutinin<\/em> (HA) and Neuraminidase<\/em> (NA).\n\nIn Indonesia, two types of Avian Influenza<\/em> are known: HPAI (High Pathogenic Avian Influenza<\/em>), which has a high level of virulence, and LPAI (Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza<\/em>), which has a lower level of virulence. However, both types cause significant economic losses for farmers. The HPAI subtype, such as H5N1, can cause high mortality rates in ducks if disease control programs are not properly implemented. Meanwhile, the LPAI subtype, such as H9N2, generally does not cause high mortality when acting alone but leads to decreased production, respiratory disorders, and immunosuppressive effects in ducks.\n\nThis immunosuppressive effect makes ducks more susceptible to secondary infections, which can worsen their condition. As a result, increased mortality in H9N2 AI cases often occurs due to co-infection with other diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clinical Symptoms and Anatomical Pathology in Ducks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clinical symptoms caused by ND and AI infections are generally characterized by ducks appearing lethargic, having greenish-white diarrhea, showing torticollis (twisted neck), and experiencing high mortality rates. In AI cases, ducks often exhibit grayish discoloration of the eyes.\n\nAnatomical pathological changes observed through necropsy or dissection include lesions such as dilation of the brain\u2019s blood vessels, inflammation of the proventriculus, respiratory tract inflammation, swollen kidneys, and other organ abnormalities. ND and AI are often referred to as \u201ctwin diseases\u201d because their symptoms are so similar that they are difficult to distinguish. Therefore, diagnostic confirmation should be performed using PCR testing, which can then be followed by sequencing<\/em> to identify the characteristics of the causative agent and support further control measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Grayish Eye Discoloration in AI Cases<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Tortikolis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Lethargy and Reduced Activity<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Lesions of Cerebral Blood Vessel Dilation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Control of ND and AI Diseases<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Disease control efforts in ducks generally include the implementation of good management practices, strict biosecurity<\/em> measures, and proper as well as routine supportive vaccination programs. To this day, awareness among duck farmers regarding the importance of vaccination\u2014especially for ND and AI\u2014remains relatively low.\n\nVaccination aims to enhance immunity and protect ducks from disease attacks. Moreover, to achieve optimal protection, vaccination must be supported by good management, biosecurity<\/em>, and supportive treatments. The following is an example of a general ND and AI vaccination guideline for ducks, which can be adjusted according to each farm\u2019s specific conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In addition to implementing an appropriate vaccination program, controlling ND and AI cases requires the application of strict biosecurity<\/em> measures, good management practices, and supportive treatments, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n