Chickens and geese dying from unknown infection in Pavlodar region
Over the past month, 1,713 domestic birds have died, according to the regional Veterinary Department. Villagers report that the symptoms are the same in all cases: the birds tilt their heads back as if hiding them under their wings, then collapse and die within 24 hours. Dozens of households have been affected.
Veterinarians began receiving reports of bird deaths as early as the beginning of September.
Specialists went to the sites and collected samples to rule out infection. The samples were sent for analysis to a local lab and the Republican Reference Center in Astana.
“The first test results came back negative. But recently we invited specialists from the Reference Center again, who took additional samples, including from wild birds, and sent them to Astana. Results are still pending,” said Galym Beysenov, Deputy Head of the Veterinary Department of Pavlodar Region.
One possible cause being considered is highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu), possibly transmitted by wild ducks. These wild birds often carry immunity but can still infect domestic flocks.
“Hunting season for waterfowl began on September 1, and by the 3rd, we had already begun receiving reports of domestic bird deaths. It’s possible that local hunters butchered wild birds in their yards, discarded entrails, and that triggered the infection spread. The symptoms — high fever, unsteady gait, head tilting — point to bird flu. But usually, bird flu can wipe out an entire flock in 2–3 days. In this case, the disease is progressing more slowly, possibly because the birds had been vaccinated,” Beysenov explained.
Vaccination against bird flu was carried out in Pavlodar Region in the spring of this year, but many residents later purchased young poultry, which may not have been vaccinated.
Veterinarians are now:
Documenting the deaths;
Removing and incinerating carcasses;
Disinfecting poultry areas;
If infection is confirmed, the villages will be placed under quarantine. All sick and dead birds will be destroyed, and residents will be compensated at average market value.
Photo of villagers
The last major avian flu outbreaks in Pavlodar Region occurred in 2020–2021.