Diseases of Poultry

Prepared by: Dr.
HN Gabot
Diseases of Poultry
Veterinary Services Specialist

SMFI-Feeds, Technical Solutions
Outline
• What is Disease?
• Disease Causing Agents and their Effects
• Immune System of Poultry
• How Disease Outbreak Happen?
• General & Specific Signs of Disease
• Intervention during Disease Break
• Common Poultry Diseases
Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

Poultry Diseases
Disease – a condition
that prevents the
body or mind from
working normally.

Diseases
CLASSIFICATION
• Signs
• Symptomatic
• Asymptomatic
• Cause
• Infectious
• Non-infectious
• Duration
• Per acute
• Acute
• Chronic

Other Terminologies
COCCIDIOSIS
Eimeria spp. Young birds Crowding & poor litter Bacterial enteritis
Causative Contributory Aggravating

Predilection
agent factor factor

Avian Pathogens
BACTERIA FUNGI
VIRUS
PARASITE

General Impacts of Diseases
Delay in growth Poor performance Decrease in egg

production
Culling Wasting
Poor egg/chick
Mortality Mortality quality
Low ALW & high Culling
FCR (broiler) Mortality

Economic Impacts of a Disease
DISEASE
CULLING TREATMENT MORTALITY
LOSS OF MORTALITY PERMANENT

TIME & DAMAGE -
MONEY CULLING
CURED Performance?

Viral Diseases
• High mortality and
morbidity rate
• Immunosuppression
• Spread can be slow to
fast
• No treatment
• Control thru
biosecurity &
vaccination

Bacterial Diseases
• Most common disease
causing organism among
poultry.
• May cause high mortality
and morbidity rate.
• Can cause poor
performance
• Can be treated with
antibiotics if given at the
right time.
Fungal Diseases
• May affect the:
• Integumentary
• Nervous system
• Respiratory system
• Digestive system
• Some infections are difficult
to treat.
• Environment is a critical factor
for growth and spread of
fungi.

Parasitic Diseases
• Direct competition to
the host.
• Damage to the site of
infection.
• Integumentary –
ectoparasites
• Internal organs -
endoparasites
• Can cause discomfort,
irritation and death.

Non-infectious
• Non specific signs
• May include general or
local disease signs.
• Chemical
• Physical
• Lack or excess of certain
vitamins and minerals
• Toxins

Avian’s Immune System
• Divided to two
mechanism
• Non-specific
immune
mechanism
• Specific immune
mechanism

Non-specific Immune Mechanism
Skin and gut

Hot body
temperature Normal microflora
Body temperature Respiratory Tract

cilia
Skin and mucus Others:

Nutrition
Age
Anatomic Features
Environment

Specific Immune System
Organ sites for

development,
maturation and
differentiation of
immune cells.
WAR FACTORY
• Training
• Armaments

Pathogen Entry
VIRUS FUNGI
IMMUNE SYSTEM PARASITE

BACTERIA

Body’s Response to Infection
VIRUS FUNGI
interferon peptides
IMMUNE SYSTEM PARASITE

BACTERIA antibodies
antimicrobial

Soldiers of the body against
infections
B Lymphocytes
• B cells – production of antibodies
T Lymphocytes
• Heterophils – kills the pathogen
• Macrophages – kills the pathogen
• Dendritic Cells - intelligence
• T cells – lymphokine production, enhance the
response of B cells, cell regulators

Phagocytes in action
• Sense the presence of pathogens

• Engulfment of the pathogen
• Kill the pathogen
Production of Antibodies
 Phagocytose the pathogen

 Antigen sampling
 Presentation to B cells
Lymphoid organs
MALT
HALT
GALT
BALT

Disease Emergence
HOST FACTORS MANAGEMENT/

Breed ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Age Weather & season
Sex Geographic location
Immunity Feed quality
Nutrition Lighting program
Air & water quality
Space
Sanitation
Vaccination & medication
management
PATHOGEN ENVIRONMENT
Pathogenicity

Disease Emergence
PATHOGEN ENVIRONMENT
Local disease challenge
Highly virulent
Weather
management
DISEASE
Immunosuppression

GAMEFOWL LIFE CYCLE
Chick Junior stags Stags Bullstags Cock
FOUNDATION PHASE Maintenance/Conditioning PHASE
MOST CRITICAL STAGE

Foundation Phase
• Thermoregulation at first two
weeks
• Initially poikilothermic
• Immature immune system
• Developing lymphoid organs
• Maternally Derived Antibodies
• Incomplete immunization
• Fast growth rate
• More prone to stress & diseases First 5 months
• Exposure to pathogens

BROODING
• Most critical stage in
foundation phase
• Goal to have:
• Uniformity size of at least
80-90%
• Minimize the early chick
infection
• Establish good appetite
• Priming of chicks
• Low mortality rate

Introduction to Range (GF)
• More space for
physical activities.
• Critical factors
include:
• Pathogen load in
the area
• Possible parasite
infested area
• Predators and
harsh environment

Rearing Phase (Breeders &
Layers)
• Designing the body
frame.
• Uniformity is critical.
• Development of
reproductive organs.

Laying Phase
• Maintaining the good
health.
• Supplementation of
vitamins and minerals
• Feeding adjustments.
• Lighting programs.
• Health programs.

General Signs of Disease
• Depression
• Poor appetite
• Huddling
• Runting/ stunting
• Poor feathering
• Respiratory signs
• Wet/ bloody droppings
• Increased mortality

Specific Signs of Disease
• Respiratory Possible Diseases/ Condition
• Gasping • Newcastle Disease
• ILT
• Coughing • Infectious Bronchitis
• Sneezing • Mycoplasmosis
• Colibacillosis
• Swollen eyes • URT irritation
• Nasal & ocular • Fowl Cholera
discharge • Poor air quality

• Mobility problems Possible Diseases/ Condition
• Rubbery legs • Ca/ P/ Vit. D3 deficiency or
imbalance
• Swollen hocks • Riboflavin deficiency
• Crooked toes • Biotin
• Infectious/ Bacterial
• Splayed legs synovitis
• Valgus/ varus • Trauma
deformity

• Nervous signs Possible Diseases/ Condition
• Vit. E/ Selenium deficiency
• Paralysis • Newcastle Disease
• Head tremors • Mareks Disease
• • Aspergillosis
Trembling
• Botulism
• Circling • Encephalitis
• Torticollis • Toxicity

• External signs Possible Diseases/ Condition
• Biotin deficiency
• Skin • External parasites
• Eyes • Riboflavin deficiency
• Pantothenic acid deficiency
• Leg • Gangrenous dermatitis
• Foot (Staphylococcus &
Clostridium)
• Feathers • IBD

• Digestive signs Possible Diseases/ Condition
• Management issues
• Droppings (wet, • Coccidiosis
mucoid, bloody). • Bacterial enteritis
• Pasty vents • Viral enteritis
• Salmonellosis
• Salt poisoning
• Worms
• ANFs

• Reproductive signs Possible Diseases/ Condition
• Management issues
• Drop in production (hatchery & farm)
• Size & shape issues • Diseases
• Ca/ P/ Vit. D3 problems
• Egg quality (shell & • ILT, IB, ND, EDS
internal quality) • Nutrition
• Hatchability • Egg handling & storage
• Age of the flock

Intervention during Disease Break
• Isolate sick birds immediately
• Dispose of dead birds
immediately and properly
• Walk through birds, observe for
other signs and map the spread
of disease.
• Call veterinarian, animal health
technical for advice and
assistance.
• Control people and animal
movement.
• Do not visit other farms

Not all health problems are
caused by infectious agents
• Always consider management and nutritional
factors
• Feed quality
• Air quality and ventilation
• Temperature and humidity
• Water quality
• Space (floor, drinker & water)
• Sanitation and hygiene
• Lighting
• Facility condition

Treatment Approach
Health Problem Treatment
Management related Management corrections
Viral Infection Cannot be treated
Biosecurity and vaccination
Antibiotic and supportive therapy
Bacterial Infection Can be treated with antibiotics
Parasitic Infection Dewormers and parasiticides
(for both host and environment)
Nutritional Withdrawal and replacement of affected
feeds
Supplementation (vitamins, minerals,
enzymes, amino acids)
Mycosis/ toxicosis Antifungal agents, liver protectants,
toxin binder

Viral Diseases
Marek’s Disease
• Also called acute leukosis,
neural leukosis, skin leukosis,
range paralysis, gray eye
• One of the most ubiquitous
avian infections.
• Most infections occur at 12
to 25 weeks of age.(~5-35
wks).
• Caused by genus Mardivirus
of Herpesviridae family.

Transmission
Inhalation/ ingestion of dander
Virus from
dander/dust
may survive for
months
Infected
chicken
remains carrier
Infective mature released into the Spread to the flock
for life
virus in feather environment
follicle

SIGNS
Tumors in nerves
cause lameness and
paralysis.
Irregularly shaped
pupils and blindness.
Tumors in different
body parts
Scaly comb and
greenish diarrhea in
terminal stage.
Tumors in spleen, liver,
lungs, kidney, etc.
TREATMENT and
CONTROL
Vaccination is the
central strategy for the
prevention and control
of Marek's disease.
Strict sanitation to
reduce or delay the
exposure
Culling of infected
flock
No treatment.
Infectious Bronchitis
• Synonyms: IB, bronchitis,
cold
• Caused by Corona virus
• Predisposing factors:
• Age and immune status of
the flock
• Environmental conditions
• Presence of other diseases
• One of the most contagious
disease in poultry.

SIGNS
Drop in feed and water
consumption
Gasping
Watery discharge from
the eyes and nostrils
Breathing noises
Watery droppings

TRANSMISSION
Spread by air and dust
Animal vector
Egg transmission is possible
LESIONS
Airsacculitis
Polyserositis Urolith formation in kidneys
Swollen kidney
DIAGNOSIS
TREATMENT & CONTROL
HA-HI test
No specific treatment FAT
Biosecurity and vaccination PCR

Infectious Bronchitis (variant)
Infection in IBV variant

• False layers
• Penguin like stance

Newcastle Disease (ND)
• ND, avian pest, avian
pneumoencephalitis, Ranikhet
disease
• Caused by a paramyxovirus-1
• Strains
• Lentogenic – Mild strains
• Mesogenic – Medium strength
• Velogenic – Virulent strength strains
• Nature of disease sign
• Respiratory
• Neurotropic
• Enteric

TRANSMISSION
Highly contagious
through infected
droppings and
respiratory discharge
between birds.
Spread between farms
by infected equipment,
truck, birds or air.
Incubation period
range between 2-15
days

SIGNS
Depression and high
mortality in 3 to 5
days.
Wheezing, gurgling,
accompanied by
nervous signs are the
main signs.
Mesogenic strains
cause typical
respiratory signs

TREATMENT/CONTROL
No treatment
Treatment of
secondary bacterial
infection
Supportive therapy
Vaccination with live
or inactivated adjuvant • Typhoon Glenda
vaccines • Pandemic
Most common • Single protectotype
vaccines: B1b1 and • Genotype 6-7 (Asia)
LaSota • Genotype 7i – Luzon
• Genotype 7h - Zamboanga
Newcastle Disease and Infectious
Bronchitis
Shelling issues in NDV and

IBV infections
Watery albumen
in IBV infection
Bacterial Diseases
Mycoplasma gallisepticum
• Designated as CRD in chickens
• Transmission
• Egg (vertical) and lateral
transmission.
• Effects
• Weight gain is reduced.
• Weak chicks and decrease in
appetite.
• Death can occur in complicated
cases.

SIGNS
Rales
Difficulty in
breathing
Coughing and
sneezing.
Nasal and water
discharge

PATHOGENESIS
Infection is
dormant in
infected chicks for
days to months.
When stressed, Vaccination
aerosol Crowding
Cold weather
transmission
occurs.
Once infected,
birds remain
carriers for life

LESIONS
Sinusitis
Tracheitis
Airsacculitis
Lameness (MS)
TREATMENT
Tetracyclines
Spectinomycin,
Tiamulin/tylosin,
Quinolones

CONTROL
Vaccination of
parent stock
Strict biosecurity
Strict isolation
Eradication of
infected young flock

Colibacillosis
• Caused by Escherichia coli
• Normal flora in the gut.
• Extraintestinal infection in
some serotypes.
• Environmental borne
disease
• Usually a secondary
invader

PATHOGENESIS
Initial exposure in
the hatchery.
Infection in the
bloodstream Mycoplasma
ND/IB
Lateral Enteritis
transmission
Drinkers
Feeders
Secretions

LESIONS
Omphalitis
Enlarged
hyperemic liver
and spleen
Increase fluid in
body cavities
Fibrinopurulent
airsacculitis,
pericarditis,
perihepatitis

TREATMENT
Quinolones
Tetracycline
Sulfa drugs
Streptomycin
Predisposing
factors
Infection
Environmental
factors

Coccidiosis
• Caused by an
intracellular parasite
Eimeria spp.
• Infectious process is
rapid ~ 4-7 days.
• Host specific and site
specific.
• Characterized by soft to
bloody droppings

TRANSMISSION
Infection occurs after
ingestion of large
numbers of sporulated
oocysts
Both clinically and
recovered birds shed
oocysts in their feces.
Contamination of water,
feeds, litter, dust, soil.
Mechanical transmission.

Sporulation is 1-2
days, 21-32C
moisted
Resistant to some
disinfectants
True age
immunity does
not occur, but
older birds are
usually more
resistant

Decrease in
growth rate
Sick birds
Severe diarrhea
and high mortality
rate.
Weight loss,
development of
culls.

LESIONS
Pale muscle tissue
Cecal blood
Intestinal
hemorrhage
Cecal cores-contains
clotted blood, tissue
debris, oocysts

CONTROL
Poultry that are
maintained on
wire floors have
fewer infections
Vaccination and
prevention with
anticoccidial drugs

CONTROL
Isolation/culling
of infected birds
Removal of feces
First month in
slatted house
Cleaning and
disinfection
Protect Plus
Phenol base

TREATMENT
Prophylactic treatment is preferred.
Water medication is ideal.
Vitamin A and K is used to improve the rate of
recovery and prevent secondary bacterial infection
Amprolium for 3-5 days
Oxytetracycline + calcium for 5 days
Trimax for 6 days
Toltazuril 25 ppm, 2 days

Worm Infections
• Round worms
• Ascaridia galli
• Eye worm
• Hair worm
• Gizzard worm • Can cause mild to severe
• Tape worms damage depending on the
• Raillietina spp. site and severity of infection.
• Davainea spp. • Direct nutrient competition
to host.

TRANSMISSION
Feco-oral route
(direct life cycle)
Ingestion of
intermediate host
with infective
stage of worm
(indirect life cycle)
Bubbly eye/Eye worm
Caused by Oxyspirura mansoni
Infected chicken Intermediate host Final host
• Eggs are swallowed • Ingested by cockroach • Intermediate host is

• Passed in the feces • Eggs hatches eaten.
• Develops into infective • Larva migrate to
stage larva esophagus – mouth
• Then to nasolacrimal
duct to the eye.
Can cause mild to severe • Matures and
reproduce
permanent damage to the eye
Round worm
Ascaridia galli
Infected chicken Chicken dung Final host
• Sexual reproduction • Eggs in the feces • Infective eggs are ingested

• Eggs are passed in become infective in • Liberated in duodenum (9 d)
the feces 10-12 days • Penetrate the mucosa (9 d)
• May survive from days • Return to lumen at 18 d
to months • Matures at 28-30 d
Can cause decrease in appetite, malnutrition,
intestinal damage and intestinal blockage

Tape worm
Caused by Raillietina spp
Infected chicken Intermediate host Final host
• Proglotids • Ingested by • Intermediate host is

containing eggs are intermediate host eaten.
passed in the feces • Eggs hatches • Liberate and mature in
• Develops into infective the intestines
stage larva
Can cause discomfort, diarrhea,

and local inflammation.
CONTROL TREATMENT
Improvement of Round worms
management and Piperazine
sanitation. Levamisole
Moving to new Fenbendazole
pasture. Pyrantel
Removal of Tape worms
manure.
Niclosamide
Application of Mebendazole
insecticides

Diagnostics
Microbiology
1. Bacterial 2. Isolation of
Swabbing Bacteria
INCUBATION
Courtesy of Merck 4. Antibiotic

3. Pure Culture
Sensitivity Test
FOR LIVE, ORGAN and
BACTERIAL SWAB samples
• Bacterial Isolation 5. Result
• ATBC Sensitivity Test
• Whole process takes 4 to
5 days to complete

Serology
FOR BLOOD and SERUM

samples
• IBD, IBV, ND, REO 1. Collection of 2. Collection of
• TRT, MG Blood Serum
• Can be used to
evaluate vaccination
procedure and
program. 3. Send to 4. ELISA
• Investigation of www.blog.labsynapse.com Laboratory Process
possible viral disease
outbreak
5. Printed
Result

Feed Analysis
Available Tests in Feed Plants

• Crude Protein
• Moisture
• Crude Fat
• Ash
• Calcium and Phosphorus
• T2 & Aflatoxin
• HPLC

PCR
• Technique used in
molecular biology to
amplify a single copy
or a few copies of a
piece of DNA across
several orders of
magnitude, generating
thousands to millions
of copies of a
particular DNA
sequence.
Disease Prevention
General Biosecurity
• Farm isolation
• Disinfection before farm
entry
• Limit the number of visitors
• Quarantine of new stocks
• Identify, isolate/cull sick birds
“use all available senses”
• Sanitation and disinfection
inside the farm

General Management
• Brooding
• Optimal environment for chick growth
• Breeder/ Layer house
• Always achieve flock comfort
• Ranging area
• Provision for shed
• Isolation and culling
• Cording area
• Effective shed design
• Maintenance of Teepee area
• Regular Monitoring

Nutrition
• Provide with sufficient amount of good quality diet
• Provision for clean and cool water at all times
• Regular vitamins and mineral supplementation

Health Program
• Regular health program
• Vaccination
• Deworming
• Supplementation
program
• Delousing

Sample cases
Case #1: Wet droppings
Potential cause Effects

• Management issues • Prolapse
• Coccidiosis • Cannibalism
• Bacterial enteritis • Poor ADG
• Viral enteritis • Poor ALW/FCR
• Salmonellosis • Mortality
• Salt poisoning • Susceptibility to
• Worms diseases
• ANFs

Case #2: Poor/slow growth
Flow of Investigation
• Records
• Previous history
• Feeds
• Flock appearance
• Flock condition
• Welfare

Case #3: Drop in egg production
Check the following

• Records
• Production trend
• Feeds
• Flock appearance and
condition
• Flock welfare
• Weather pattern
• Day length
• Other farm highlights

Thank you for listening!

Diseases of Poultry

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Diseases of Poultry

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Prepared by: Dr.

Veterinary Services Specialist

Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

Causative Contributory Aggravating

Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

Delay in growth Poor performance Decrease in egg

Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

CULLING TREATMENT MORTALITY

LOSS OF MORTALITY PERMANENT

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Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

Skin and gut

Body temperature Respiratory Tract

Skin and mucus Others:

Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

Organ sites for

Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

IMMUNE SYSTEM PARASITE

Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

IMMUNE SYSTEM PARASITE

Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

• Sense the presence of pathogens

 Phagocytose the pathogen

Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

HOST FACTORS MANAGEMENT/

Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

Chick Junior stags Stags Bullstags Cock

FOUNDATION PHASE Maintenance/Conditioning PHASE

MOST CRITICAL STAGE

Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

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Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

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Inhalation/ ingestion of dander

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Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

Infection in IBV variant

Technical Services 2015 Regional Training

Technical Services 2015 Regional Training