The detection of a virus, the Newcastle disease, among poultry in Tobruk has resulted in the death of more than 50,000 birds in the last four days, reported Libya.tv earlier this week.

Farmer owners have complained of a lack of resources and inability to fight Newcastle disease in the eastern area, addressing the problem to the Ministry of Agriculture.

Poultry farmers are appealing for an immediate intervention from the Ministry to halt the spread of illness. The extermination of the birds has caused great economic loss and severely harmed the local market in the area.

In a statement made to the Libyan News Agency, public service workers claimed to have found a large quantity of chicken carcasses on the roadside in the Sidi Fredj area of Benghazi.

They said they sprayed the dead animals with chemicals to prevent the spread of disease in the area.

The disease is extremely contagious between birds, and can also be passed onto humans, according to the Libya.tv report. Conjunctivitis and influenza-like symptoms are common if a human contracts the Newcastle disease. Cleanliness is the only way to prevent any contraction, as there is no vaccine available against the virus.

Further Reading Find out more information on Newcastle disease by clicking here.