E.C. Okwor
Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
D.C. Eze
Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
Mareks Disease (MD) is an important viral disease that has been described in Nigeria. Though poultry farmers may not be familiar with the disease when compared to other common diseases like Newcastle Disease (ND) and Infections Bursal Disease (IBD) sporadic outbreaks of this disease occurs in poultry farms resulting in significant economic losses. This work investigated an outbreak and persistence of MD in batches of birds reared in a poultry farm in Nsukka, South East Nigeria between 2001 and 2009. The farm maintains many pens situated close to each other and introduces birds of different ages thereby housing different batches of birds throughout the year. The first outbreak occurred in a batch of 300 brown pullets at the age of 12 weeks. Infection occurred in all the subsequent batches of pullets introduced into the farm within the study period. Batches of broilers introduced into the farm and kept up to six weeks and above had the infection. Those that were sold before six weeks of age as brooded birds did not show signs of MD. Cockerels that were kept and reared to maturity showed signs of the disease while those that were reared and sold as brooded birds at four-five weeks did not show signs of the disease. In most cases, infection among the flock (morbidity) varied ranging from 5-15% with few acute cases up to 25%. We therefore suggested an all-in-all-out system in case of outbreaks of the disease with reasonable period or interval between each stock.
PDF References Citation
How to cite this article
E.C. Okwor and D.C. Eze, 2011. Outbreak and Persistence of Mareks Disease in Batches of Birds Reared in a Poultry Farm Located in Nsukka, South East Nigeria. International Journal of Poultry Science, 10: 617-620.
DOI: 10.3923/ijps.2011.617.620
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=ijps.2011.617.620
DOI: 10.3923/ijps.2011.617.620
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=ijps.2011.617.620
REFERENCES
- Abdul-Careem, M.F., K. Haq, S. Shanmuganathan, L.R. Read, K.A. Schat, M. Heidari and S. Sharif, 2009. Induction of innate host responses in the lungs of chickens following infection with a very virulent strain of Marek's disease virus. Virology, 393: 250-257.
PubMed - Baigent, S.J., L.P. Smith, R.J. Currie and V.K. Nair, 2007. Correlation of Marek's disease herpesvirus vaccine virus genome load in feather tips with protection, using an experimental challenge system. Avian Pathol., 36: 467-474.
PubMed - Buscaglia, C., P. Nervi and M. Risso, 2004. Characterization of four very virulent Argentinian strains of Marek's disease virus and the influence of one of those isolates on synergism between Marek's disease vaccine viruses. Avian Pathol., 33: 190-195.
PubMed - Calnek, B.W., H.K. Adldinger and D.E. Kahn, 1970. Feather follicle epithelium: A source of enveloped and infectious cell-free herpesvirus from Marek's disease. Avian Dis., 14: 219-233.
Direct Link - Fatunmbi, O.O. and D.F. Adene, 1986. A ten year prevalence study of Marek's disease and avian leukoses at Ibadan, Nigeria. Acta Vet. Brno., 55: 49-53.
CrossRef - Freeman, B.M. and A.C. Manning, 1984. Failure to induce stress reactions following vaccination against Marek's disease or Newcastle disease. Res. Vet. Sci., 36: 247-250.
PubMed - Kenzy, S.G. and B.R. Cho, 1969. Transmission of classical Marek's disease by affected and carrier birds. Avian Dis., 13: 211 -214.
Direct Link - Nawathe, D.R., C.K. Ojeh and O. Onunkwo, 1978. Incidence of Marek's disease in northern states of Nigeria. Vet. Rec., 102: 128-128.
PubMed - Oni, O.O. and A.A. Owoade, 2009. Seroprevalence of Marek's disease virus antibody in some poultry flocks in southwestern Nigeria. Anim. Prod. Res. Adv., Vol. 5.
Direct Link - Witter, R.L., J.J. Solomon, L.R. Champion and K. Nazerian, 1971. Long term studies of Marek's disease infection in individual chickens. Avian Dis., 15: 364-365.
Direct Link - Witter, R.L., B.W. Calnek, C. Buscaglia, I.M. Gimeno and K.A. Schat, 2005. Classification of Marek's disease viruses according to pathotype-philosophy and methodology. Avian Pathol., 34: 75-90.
PubMed - Witter, R.L., G.H. Burgoyne and J.J. Solomon, 1969. Evidence for a herpesvirus as an etiologic agent of Marek's disease. Avian Dis., 13: 171-184.
PubMed - Witter, R.L., 2001. Marek's Disease Vaccines-Past, Present and Future (Chicken vs virus-a Battle of the Centuries). In: Current Progress on Marek's Disease Research, Schat, K.A., R.W. Morgan, M.S. Parcells and J.L. Spencer (Eds.). American Association of Avian Pathologists, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
- Witter, R.L., J.M. Sharma, J.J. Solomon and L.R. Champion, 1973. An age-related resistance of chickens to Marek's disease: Some preliminary observations. Avian Pathol., 2: 43-54.
CrossRef