LPM 222: Diversified poultry production and current concepts in poultry management and marketing [Livestock Production Management (Regional Interest)] (1+1)

ASPERGILLOSIS

• Aspergillosis is defined as any disease condition caused by a member of the fungal genus Aspergillits.
• In the goose, as in most other classes of poultry, the organs most affected are the lungs, hence the term Pulmonary Asperbillosis.
• The disease can be quite severe in young goslings as they may become infected during hatching and even embryos may become infected.
• The source of infection can be either dirty incubator equipment and/or dirty eggs. Dirty eggs can contaminate both the setter and hatcher. In addition, it is possible for Aspcrgillits to penetrate the egg which is how embryos can become infected.
• Young growing goslings are also susceptible to Asperbillosis but usually not as severely although they can be infected from contaminated  litter.

Symptoms

• The symptoms are difficult and accelerated breathing (gasping) with rattling or gurgling oises. The birds might be very depressed and mortality can be high.
• Nervous symptoms may appear in a small percentage of the birds and can be accompanied by increased thirst and diarrhoca.

Treatment

• The first step is to clean the hatching facilities, or-anizc a good sanitation programme and ensure that all hatching eggs are cleaned and fumigated as soon as possible after laying.
• Mouldy feed and litter must be removed and destroyed and the building cleaned and disinfected with 1:2000 copper sulphate.
• The treatment of Aspergillosis is not always effective. Nystatin and Amphoteciricine-B have proven to be the most effective medications for geese.
• If these are not available, a recommended low cost treatment consists of 5 percent potassium iodine in the drinking water for three days, followed by two days of no treatment and then a second treatment for three days.