31/03/2024
FOWL TYPHOID
FOWL TYPHOID is a disease caused by the bacterium Salmonella gallinarium. Poultry are natural hosts for this bacterium. Although the incidence of fowl typhoid in the United States and Canada is relatively low, it can be high in other countries.
Fowl typhoid can be introduced into a flock by wild birds, mammals, and flies. Within a flock, fowl typhoid is spread by bird-to-bird contact as well as through cannibalism of infected carcasses, wound contamination, and f***l contamination of feed, water, and litter. In addition, the bacteria can spread to chicks in the egg, as when eggs come from a contaminated hatchery.
CLINICAL SIGNS
Fowl Typhoid usually affects birds in final growth or adults, causing fever, anorexia, deep depression, diarrhea and severe mortality. Depending on the stage and severity of the infection, necropsy may show signs ranging from minimally affected o***y, to a clear condition of an enlarged liver (with a dark copper/bronze-like color) and splenomegaly.
The clinical signs of Pullorum disease vary according to age and strain involved. When apparent, the infection is more expressive in young birds (from 10 days to 3 weeks of age), causing prostration, white diarrhea, agonic breathing, anorexia and mortality. The post-mortem may show peritonitis, generalized congestion and focal necrosis in organs (liver/spleen/lungs/heart), eventually seen as "white dots". Older birds have no clear symptoms but can get infected and transmit the agent to the progeny.
TREATMENT
Treatment is not feasible. Recovered birds have a tendency to become carriers. It is best to depopulate a flock that tests positive for Salmonella gallinarium.
In Nigeria drug such asAmoxycillin, potentiated sulponamide, tetracylines, fluoroquinolones.
Is used
PREVENTION AND CONTROL
To prevent fowl typhoid, obtain your birds or hatching eggs from a hatchery participating in the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP). Do not mix NPIP-certified flocks
