Poultry Health & Newcastle Disease (Ranikhet) Vaccination

Newcastle disease (known locally as Ranikhet) can wipe out a smallholder's entire flock within days, so the department runs a standing vaccination programme using the heat-tolerant I-2 vaccine, which is easier to keep viable in areas with unreliable cold-chain power.

Field officers visit backyard flocks and small commercial poultry operations directly, since most affected farmers cannot easily bring birds to a clinic.