On 16th of September 2015, Ceva Animal Health Malaysia and Agritech Enterprise has graciously hosted the Exclusive Layer Seminar for QL Group 2015 in QL Resources Berhad, Shah Alam. The organizers were excited to have a total of 35 participants from all over Malaysia, Indonesia and Myanmar to be with them.

Firstly, Dr Roberto Soares, Veterinary Service Regional Manager Ceva Animal Health Asia has given an overview of 'Respiratory Diseases in Layer' followed by discussing two bacterial diseases- Mycoplasmosis and Infectious Coryza. The technique of diagnosing respiratory diseases has become more challenging. The complexity in respiratory diseases nowadays has make it unable for veterinarians to distinguish diseases solely on gross lesions. Hence, laboratory confirmation is vital. The importance of respiratory disease should not be underestimated as in the year of 2011, 4/5 diseases causing the most economic loses are none other than respiratory diseases.

Next on, we have Mr Chanchai Chaikittiporn, Poultry Management Specialist in China, working in broiler, broiler breeder and layer industry to provide us an in depth review on 'Ventilation Management'. As explained by Mr Chanchai, they are generally three types of ventilation commonly used – Tunnel ventilation, Cross Ventilation and Transitional ventilation. The difference in ventilation relies on the use and purpose. For example, the use of Cross ventilation will enable a more efficient of heat conservation in the house which is best used during brooding period in the tropics. Nevertheless, these ventilations can work either individually or in combination.

Dr Jessica Lee, Product and Technical Manager of Ceva Animal Health Malaysia has been talking on the role of 'Newcastle Disease (ND) and Infectious Bronchitis (IB) in Cases of Egg Drop in Production'. ND and IB infection in layers will most likely cause subclinical drop in egg production. However, if IB variant infection strikes, it can cause mortality to spike in the flock as well. If the flock has been infected with the variant virus in their early life, the right oviduct which should have regressed may be blocked and causes accumulation of fluid resulting in cyst formation. This is commonly known as the False Layer Syndrome.

The final speaker of the day, Dr Ayatullah Natsir, Technical and Marketing Manager in Ceva Animal Health Indonesia has shared his previous encounter with the 'Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Indonesia'. From his experience, the difference in history and clinical signs between clinical outbreaks of HPAI may differ and hence laboratory confirmation is needed. The use of Virus Isolation Method, Polymerase Chain Reaction Method (PCR) and Gene Sequencing is essential to diagnose as well as study the protection among different clades. The initial use of Inactivated vaccines has not been effective. Subsequently, the emergence of Vector Vaccines – VTM AI has proven to give a deeper protection and demonstrated cross clade protection.

The event was summed up by Dr Amanda Lim, Country Manager of Ceva Animal Health Malaysia, Indonesia and Taiwan. She believed the meeting today provides an important platform for the professionals from different region to exchange their knowledge and experience. She thanked the crowd for coming all the way here and making the event a huge success. With this, Ceva Animal Health Malaysia will be looking forward to organize more of these events for QL Group and the industries.

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