The dynamics of poultry diseases throughout 2025 show that the challenge lies not only in increasingly adaptive pathogens, but also in how farm management must become more responsive.

As a biological industry that is highly dependent on animal health and performance, disease challenges in poultry production cannot be ignored. Disease outbreaks that are not handled quickly and appropriately not only disrupt productivity, but also directly affect business efficiency, supply stability, and can lead to significant economic losses for farmers.

The risk of poultry diseases goes beyond threatening production performance; it also poses risks to public health as the end consumers. Some diseases are zoonotic and can be transmitted to humans, with the potential to trigger epidemics. This situation creates uncertainty and anxiety among consumers and industry players alike, demanding fast, accurate, and integrated responses to prevent wider spread.

These challenges are further exacerbated by climate change, which has shifted disease distribution patterns and increased the likelihood of the emergence of new, stronger, and more resistant pathogens. Throughout 2025, unstable weather conditions worsened poultry health dynamics. Extreme temperature fluctuations, high rainfall, and drastic changes in humidity altered the microclimate inside poultry houses. This situation triggered a domino effect, increasing poultry susceptibility to bacterial, viral, and parasitic diseases, as well as metabolic disorders. The impact was directly reflected in production performance, ranging from stunted growth in broilers to declining egg production in layers.

Based on reports from various field sources, poultry disease outbreaks throughout 2025 were dominated by respiratory diseases and infections that caused production declines. Diseases such as Avian Influenza (AI), Newcastle Disease (ND), Infectious Bronchitis (IB), Chronic Respiratory Disease (CRD), CRD Complex, Colibacillosis, and Coryza remained serious threats to the poultry sector. The spread of these diseases is influenced by many factors, including environmental conditions and infectious agents, as well as management aspects such as high stocking density, improper handling of sick birds, and inconsistent implementation of biosecurity measures.

In addition to threats from the disease agents themselves, internal factors such as changes in immune response due to environmental stress further worsen conditions. Field challenges are also intensified by uneven biosecurity implementation, limited access to animal health professionals, and varying levels of farmers’ understanding regarding disease control based on management practices and technology.

Looking at the trends observed throughout 2025, projections for 2026 indicate that the risk of poultry diseases may continue to increase. More extreme climate change, rising poultry population density, and intensive production systems could further amplify disease transmission. Potential viral mutations—such as those frequently seen in avian influenza viruses—may give rise to new variants that spread more easily and have the potential to infect humans, thereby increasing global health risks. Improper use of antibiotics and vaccines may also trigger antimicrobial resistance, which in turn adds further complexity to disease control in the field.

This article is an excerpt from the Main Report section of Poultry Indonesia Magazine, December 2025 Edition. Read the full article in Poultry Indonesia Magazine December 2025 Edition. For subscriptions or further information, contact: https://wa.me/+6287780120754 or sirkulasipoultry@gmail.com

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