Viral diseases

VIRAL DISEASES
  • These are prevented by carrying out protective vaccinations at the recommended age; treatment will not be effective.

Newcastle Disease

  • It is the most dreadful disease in poultry. A high mortality rate is evident in all age groups.
  • Respiratory distress, paralysis of legs and wings, greenish diarrhoea and a twisting of the neck will be noticed.
  • Control Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) and give toxin-free feed. Multiple vaccinations should be given as suggested.
  • Routine screening of sera samples on larger farms is advisable.

Infectious Bronchitis (IB)

  • Respiratory distress, rales and gurgling sounds are evident. Prevent the disease by vaccination.

Infectious Anaemia

  • Young chicks are affected. A mortality of up to 20 percent is noted and the disease predisposes adults to other diseases.
  • Vaccination of the parent stock is required.

Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD or Gumboro)

  • Young birds are affected. Listlessness, huddling, whitish, pasty diarrhoea and pecking at vents are some of the symptoms.
  • The consequences of this disease are 10-60 percent mortality rate and the breakdown of immunity, leading to the outbreak of other diseases.
  • Vaccinate young birds at the recommended age.
  • Include immuno-stimulants like Vitamin E in the feed. Give toxin-free feed.

Marek’s Disease

  • This disease is characterized by poor growth and paralysis of one leg which is stretched backwards. Birds under 16 weeks are affected.
  • An inability to take feed follows, and death ensues. Ensure that protective vaccination is given at day old in the hatchery.

Infectious laryngo-tracheitis (ILT)

  • Symptoms like respiratory distress, rales, extended neck for inhalation, nasal discharge, low egg production, and mortality of up to 30 percent are noticeable.
  • Secondary infections can be controlled by antibiotics.

Inclusion body hepatitis (Hydropericardium Syndrome or Leechi disease)

  • This condition affects broilers at four to five weeks of age and a 30-60 percent mortality is experienced.
  • Straw-coloured fluid around the heart is noted. Controlled IBD vaccines are available against this disease.

Fowl pox

  • Raised skin lesions appear at the corners of the beak, as well as at the comb and wattle.
  • The mortality level is low, but recovered birds perform poorly.
  • Vaccination at the appropriate age is suggested.
Last modified: Sunday, 3 June 2012, 7:22 AM