Infectious Bursal Disease
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[edit] Introduction
Infectious bursal disease is an acute, highly contagious viral disease of young chickens. It is most often found in highly concentrated poultry producing areas. Although the disease causes severe losses, its affect on reducing the bird's ability to develop immunity to other diseases may be the most serious effect produced by this disease.
The spread of this disease can occur by direct contact (bird to bird), contaminated litter and feces, contaminated air, equipment, feed, and possible insects and wild birds. It is extremely contagious.
[edit] Symptoms
Birds will have ruffled feathers, a slight tremor at onset of the disease, strained defecation, loss of appetite and be dehydrated. Affected birds have a tendency to sit and when forced to move are unsteady. Vent picking is common and a whitish diarrhea frequently develops. A sudden rise in body temperature is followed by a drop to subnormal temperature, prostration and death. Birds surviving the initial infection will recover rapidly within two weeks.
[edit] Treatment
Vaccines are available but must be carefully used. If given correctly, good immunity can be developed. There is no specific treatment for infectious bursal disease and indiscriminate medication with certain drugs may severely aggravate mortality. Supportive measures such as increasing heat, ventilation and water consumption are beneficial.
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