Effects of Climate Variability on the Outbreak and Spread of Newcastle Disease in Suneka Division of Kisii County

Newcastle Disease (ND) is a common occurrence in Suneka Division. ND is caused by Avian Paramyxovirus Type 1, is one of the most significant diseases for poultry producers around the world. This poultry disease is influenced directly or indirectly by weather as it affects the timing and the intensity of an outbreak. This article examined the influence rainfall and temperature on the outbreak and the spread of Newcastle disease in Suneka Division of Kisii County. The study used a descriptive design with both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The sample size was 200 households and respondents were poultry farmers. Veterinary officers were key informants. Primary data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedules. Secondary data on rainfall and temperature was collected from the Kisii meteorological station for 2007 and 2011. Data was analysed using measures of central tendency such as means and mode. They were presented using frequency tables. Karl Pearson coefficient of correlation was used to test the null hypothesis that there was no relationship between temperature and rainfall, and the occurrence of ND at 5% level of significance. The study revealed that ND occurs during the months of July-August and December-January. It was generally found out that this disease occurs after the long March, April and May (MAM) and short rains October November and December (OND). It was also found out that there was a positive Pearson Correlation between rainfall and ND in the months of August (r = 0.286) and December (r = 0.275). However, there was a negative relationship in the months July (r = -0.549) and January (r = -0.144). Concerning temperature, there was a positive Pearson Correlation between temperature and ND in August (r =0.772), July (r = 0.683) and January (r = 0.159). But, in the month of December there was a negative Pearson Correlation (r = -0.546). To curb the ND menace and increase productivity of free range indigenous chicken, the research recommended that there was need for farmers to monitor weather changes by obtaining data from the meteorological weather stations. Educate small-scale farmers on how to adopt hygienic and bio-safe poultry rearing methods to minimize loss of chicken through diseases, pests and predation. Keywords: Free range, Indigenous chicken, Newcastle Diseas