06/05/2020
COMMON POULTRY DISEASES YOU MUST KNOW
Poultry birds include chicken, duck, turkey, ostrich, quail, goose, and wild turkey. They are a source of animal protein (meat and eggs) in the human diet. Poultry birds are vulnerable to many diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungus, parasites, metabolic disorders, and nutritional deficiencies. The following diseases are some of the most common in farms.
COCCIDIOSIS
Coccidiosis is an infectious disease caused by a microscopic parasite called coccidia that is transmitted by the droppings from the infected birds. The organisms damage the host’s intestinal system that causing the loss of production, morbidity, and death. Symptoms may include weakness and listlessness, diarrhea, blood located at the vent site of the bird, pale comb or skin, ruffled feathers. Sulphaquinoxaline, Amprolium, Diclazuril or Toltrazuril are quite effective in treating the condition.
SALMONELLOSIS OR PULLORUM DISEASE
Salmonellosis or Pullorum disease is an infectious disease that is caused by Salmonella enterica. It is characterized by high mortality in young chickens and turkey. Transmission may be vertical and also occurs by direct or indirect contact with infected birds or contaminated feed or water. The clinical signs include white diarrhea, ruffled feathers, closed eyes, vent pasting, loud chirping, gasping, lameness, depression, inappetence. Treatment is done by Amoxycillin, potentiated sulphonamide, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones. It is controlled by the cleaning and disinfecting of hatching eggs. Salmonella negative feed should be obtained and the day-old chicks should come from salmonella-free breeder flocks.
NEWCASTLE DISEASE OR RANIKHET DISEASE
Newcastle Disease or Ranikhet is a viral respiratory disease caused by Newcastle disease virus. It is spread by inhalation or ingestion of the virus. Other sources of infection are contaminated equipment, water, food, carcasses, and clothing. The symptoms may include coughing, gasping, depression, inappetence, drooping wings, muscular tremors, circling, greenish watery diarrhea, twisting of head and neck, complete paralysis. There is no available treatment of Newcastle disease. Antibiotics may control secondary bacterial infection.
FOWL POX
Fowl Pox is a slow-spreading infectious disease that is caused by avian DNA pox virus. It affects most of the bird species and occurs in both dry and wet forms. Infection occurs through skin abrasions or bites via the respiratory route. The disease is transmitted by birds, mosquitoes, or fomites. The symptoms of fowl pox are warty, spreading eruptions and scabs on comb and wattles, caseous deposits in mouth and sometimes the trachea, reduced egg production, weak growth, inappetence, depression. There is no effective treatment of fowl pox and vaccination prevents the disease and control the spreading of the infected flocks.
INFECTIOUS CORYZA
Infectious Coryza is a bacterial disease caused by Avibacterium paragallinarum. It affects the respiratory system and causes high economic losses. The condition is seen only in chickens and characterized by sneezing, nasal discharge, and swelling of the face under the eye. Transmission of the disease is direct contact, air droplets, and drinking contaminated water. Treatment is given with the use of antibiotics. Vaccines are also available. It is important to source chicks from Coryza-free farms.
FOWL TYPHOID
Fowl Typhoid is an infectious disease caused by Salmonella gallinarum. It is very similar to pullorum disease that causes high mortality. Clinical signs include decreased egg production, diarrhea, anorexia, dehydration, weakness, and high death. It is seen in Chicken and turkey, and other birds. The treatment is done by Amoxycillin, potentiated sulphonamide, fluoroquinolones, and tetracyclines. In some areas, the vaccine has been used in fowl typhoid.
GUMBORO OR INFECTIOUS BURSAL DISEASE(IBD)
It is a highly contagious infectious viral that is caused by infectious bursal disease (IBD) virus. Another name is Gumboro and it is seen in young chickens. The virus is shed in the f***s and spreads between birds or by contact with a contaminated environment. There is no vertical transmission. The virus is difficult to eradicate and the virus is very firm and robust. Clinical symptoms include mucoid diarrhea with soiled vent feathers, a rapid drop in feed and water consumption, ruffled feathers, picking at own vent, and sleeping with beak touching the floor, listless chicks with unsteady gait or sitting in a hunched position. There is no treatment for Gumboro disease. The supportive treatment is beneficial such as vitamin and electrolyte supplements and antibiotics to treat any secondary bacterial infections, which may reduce the impact of the disease.
MYCOPLASMOSIS OR CHRONIC RESPIRATORY DISEASE (CRD)
Mycoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by a microorganism, Mycoplasma gallisepticum. It is a chronic respiratory disease and a decreased growth rate and egg production. The symptoms may include sneezing, rales, coughing, nasal discharge, frothiness, difficulty in breathing, swelling around the eye. The disease is transmitted vertically. The causal agent is sensitive to some antibiotics and vaccines for some mycoplasmas are also available. Prevention is done by biosecurity. Disinfectants and sunlight destroy the organism.
CHICKEN ENCEPHALOMYELITIS
Chicken encephalomyelitis is a viral disease of the central nervous system of the poultry caused by the picornavirus. The most common transmission is the vertical transmission and the condition is also spread by direct contact. The symptoms include ataxia, dull eyes, drop in egg production, cataracts, nervous sign, paralysis, tremor of head, neck, and wings. There is no treatment for the disease. Prevention is a better way to control the disease. Remove all infected birds and provide fresh food and water and good nursing.
FOWL CHOLERA
This is a serious, highly contagious disease caused by the bacterium Pasteurella multocida. The disease can range from acute to chronic and the morbidity and mortality may be up to 100%. The route of infection is oral or nasal with transmission via nasal exudate, faeces, contaminated soil, equipment, and people. Predisposing factors include high density and concurrent infections such as respiratory viruses. Clinical signs include; ruffled feathers, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, nasal, ocular and oral discharge, swollen and cyanotic wattles and face, sudden death, swollen joints, lameness. The bacteria is susceptible to sulphonamides, tetracyclines, erythromycin, streptomycin, penicillin. The disease often recurs after medication is stopped, necessitating long-term or periodic medication. The bacterium is easily destroyed by environmental factors and disinfectants, but may persist for prolonged periods in soil. Biosecurity, good rodent control and hygiene are very important. Live oral vaccine are available.
CONCLUSION
Poultry farming is one of the profitable businesses in the agricultural sector and is being practiced subsistently and commercially. Poultry diseases are a source of concern for farmers. While some of the common diseases have been highlighted above, there are other uncommon diseases like Marek’s Disease, Egg Drop Syndrome, infectious Bronchitis; that can be prevented easily by vaccination. Nutritional deficiency or managemental diseases can be reduced by balanced ration and improved management.
References:
www.poultrysite.com
www.vetexpert.com
www.veterpedia.com
