Systematic Veterinary Virology

TRANSMISSION

• The main route of infection is through ingestion.
• Affected birds serve as source of infection.
• Chickens infected with the IBD virus shed the virus in their feces.
• Feed, water, and poultry house litter become contaminated with faecal materials and they serve as source of infection. Other chickens in the house become infected by ingesting the virus.
• The lesser mealworm (Alphitobus diaperinus) has also been shown to carry the virus. Because of the resistant nature of the IBD virus, it is easily transmitted mechanically among the farms by people, equipment and vehicles.