Concerns Grow Over Poultry Mortality in Syria Amid Official Denials

The poultry industry in Syria is currently grappling with a troubling surge in bird mortality, with reports of mass deaths emerging from various provinces, including rural Damascus, Homs, Hama, Latakia, and parts of Aleppo and Idlib. Social media has circulated images and videos depicting thousands of deceased birds, leading to widespread anxiety among both farmers and consumers, which has subsequently driven up poultry prices in certain regions.

Heavy Losses for Farmers

Poultry farm owners in rural Damascus have reported that mortality rates among young chickens have surpassed 60%, while laying hens have seen a 55% drop in productivity. This situation has persisted for nearly a month, despite efforts to implement quarantine measures and vaccinations. As a result, the prices of broilers and eggs have surged, with increases of up to 100 lira per kilogram noted in areas such as Daraa and rural Damascus within just days.

Official Reassurances Amid Contradictions

In response to the crisis, Fadel Haj Hashem, the General Director of the Poultry Institution, stated through the state-run “SANA” agency that the sector is not experiencing any serious infections or unusual epidemic diseases, labeling the circulating information on social media as “incorrect and intended to incite panic.” Hussein Al-Balan, head of the Veterinary Doctors Syndicate, reiterated that the diseases in question only affect birds and are not transmissible to humans, asserting that no strains of avian influenza have been detected in Syrian laboratories, thus making poultry consumption safe.
However, these official reassurances appear contradictory, as the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management issued an urgent warning regarding the “chicken plague,” acknowledging that recent infections have been recorded. This has raised further concerns about the transparency of information and crisis management during this sensitive period.

A Crisis of Trust Between Farmers and Authorities

The current situation within Syria's poultry sector highlights a significant disconnect between the realities faced by farmers and the narratives presented by official authorities. As prices continue to climb, placing additional burdens on citizens, questions remain about the sector's resilience in the face of this crisis, whether it stems from natural seasonal diseases or a potential epidemic that may be downplayed to mitigate economic and political fallout.