Poultry Health and Disease Management in Pakistan: Implications for Food Security, Public Health, and Sustainable Livelihoods

Abstract

Importance: Poultry production is central to Pakistan’s food security and rural economy, yet poultry health remains undermined by infectious diseases, poor management practices, antimicrobial misuse, and environmental stress.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of major poultry diseases, risk factors for flock mortality, antimicrobial resistance trends, and the economic implications of poultry health challenges in Pakistan.

Design, Setting, and Participants: A simulated cross-sectional study was conducted across 200 poultry farms (100 broiler, 60 layer, 40 backyard) in four provinces of Pakistan. Data were collected on disease prevalence, mortality, vaccination, antimicrobial use, and biosecurity practices. Laboratory analysis of samples from 20,000 birds assessed common pathogens and antimicrobial resistance.

Main Outcomes and Measures: Prevalence of Newcastle disease, avian influenza, infectious bursal disease, colibacillosis, and salmonellosis; antimicrobial resistance profiles of E. coli and Salmonella isolates; predictors of high flock mortality; and estimated annual economic losses.

Results: Newcastle disease (29.5%) and colibacillosis (37.5%) were the most prevalent diseases, with higher rates in backyard flocks. Antimicrobial use was reported in 71% of farms; multidrug-resistant E. coli was detected in 35% of farms, most commonly in broiler systems. Regression analysis identified low biosecurity (adjusted OR, 3.12; 95% CI, 1.85–5.27), inadequate vaccination (OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.42–4.20), and heat stress (OR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.38–3.95) as significant predictors of high mortality. Access to veterinary support was protective (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.33–0.99). Average annual farm-level losses were PKR 445,000, with broiler farms sustaining the highest absolute costs, while backyard flocks faced greater relative livelihood vulnerability.

Conclusions and Relevance: Poultry health in Pakistan is threatened by endemic diseases, antimicrobial misuse, and climate stress, imposing substantial economic losses and zoonotic risks. Strengthening biosecurity, regulating antimicrobial use, expanding vaccination, and building climate-resilient poultry systems are critical for safeguarding food security, public health, and rural livelihoods.