INFECTIOUS BURSAL DISEASE VIRUS

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Causative Agent(s)

Birnavirus also called "Gumboro disease". Most pathogenic in commercial layer chickens. Type I is a pathogen of chickens, which particularly compromises the humoral immune system. Turkeys are affected by type II disease.

Clinical Presentation and Epidemiology

Transmission is by shedding the virus in faeces and transferred between facilities via fomites. Very stable and difficult to eradicate.

Infections before 3 weeks of age are usually subclinical. Economic losses are most important in this group. Severe, long-lasting immunosuppression due to destruction of immature lymphocytes in the bursa, thymus, and spleen. Most susceptible to clinical disease at 3-6 weeks. This group exhibits severe prostration, incoordination, watery diarrhoea, soiled vent feathers, vent picking, and inflammation of the cloaca.

Diagnostic Considerations

Clinical course and necropsy findings. Most readily isolated from the bursa of Fabricius (but may be isolated from any organ).

Management and Treatment

No treatment. Depopulation and rigorous disinfection have limited success. Live vaccines can be given by eye drop, water, or SQ (1-21 days of age). Can also vaccinate breeder flocks (first with live vaccine, then with inactivated one just before egg production).