Page 41 - Research Report 2025.1

Newcastle disease
One participant from the focus group interview further added that the Newcastle disease was a major threat to poultry farming.
A Focus group Participant
And the chickens. Fever. I don’t know what it’s called? But we find that the chickens have got there’s usually an outbreak of chicken fever I don’t now what its called. People call it Newcastle. That’s what its called. Newcastle.
SOME KEY IMPLICATIONS
The outbreaks of rabies, COVID-19, and Newcastle disease in the Alfred Nzo District have serious implications for public health, food security, and the livelihoods of rural residents. These diseases highlight the district’s vulnerabilities to both health crises and disruptions in agricultural production.
The rabies outbreak underscores the need for vaccination programs and public health awareness campaigns to protect both humans and animals in regions where close interaction between the two is common. Similarly, the widespread impact of COVID-19 revealed weaknesses in the district’s health care infrastructure, stressing the importance of strengthening health care systems to better handle future pandemics and public health emergencies.
On the agricultural side, the recurring outbreaks of Newcastle disease, which devastates poultry farming, emphasise the critical need for regular veterinary services and disease prevention measures to support small-scale farmers. Protecting poultry from disease is essential to maintaining food security and safeguarding the economic stability of rural households that depend on farming for their livelihoods.
Additionally, there is an urgent need to strengthen institutional capacity to respond to disease outbreaks, both in human and agricultural populations. This involves improving coordination among local health, agricultural, and emergency services to enhance the district’s overall resilience to future health crises and reduce vulnerabilities across the population.
What Institutional Factors Contribute to their Vulnerability Theme 1:
Institutional Factors Contributing to Vulnerability
This theme explores the institutional challenges that exacerbate vulnerability in the Alfred Nzo District, particularly during disasters and crises. Several key factors, including corruption, improper planning, non-compliance with building regulations, and bureaucratic inefficiencies, are highlighted as contributors to the community’s inability to respond effectively to crises. These institutional failures weaken resilience and leave the population more exposed to risks from both natural and man-made disasters.
Institutional Factors Contributing to Vulnerability
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