Poultry Viral Diseases: Outbreak Analysis and Diagnostic Tools

The Indian poultry sector has seen an annual growth rate of about 8-10% for broilers and 5-7% for egg production. In 2024, India produced approximately 142.77 billion eggs, ranking second globally in egg production. The broiler meat production is estimated to be around 4.5 million tonnes. The poultry industry contributes approximately USD 17.31 billion to India's agricultural economy and supports about 50 million livelihoods. Major poultry-producing states include Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Punjab, and West Bengal. According to the 20th Livestock Census (2022), the poultry population in India is estimated to be around 1,000 million. Notably, Newcastle disease (ND), avian influenza, fowl pox, infectious bursal disease, Marek’s disease, infectious bronchitis, infectious laryngotracheitis, and inclusion body hepatitis are prevalent in several regions, including India. In India, the demand for poultry products is high, given the growing population and increasing dietary preferences for meat and eggs. Ongoing vaccination initiatives are crucial for disease control, with various government and private sector programs implemented to enhance biosecurity and health management.