Other Common & Important Poultry Diseases & Control Strategies

Question 1

Name the two serovars of Salmonella

Answer 1

Salmonella Typhimurium

Salmonella Enteritidis

Question 2

What are some of the subclinical effect of Salmonella infection in poultry?

Answer 2

Immunosuppression
Management irregularities
Stress
Contamination of egg shell -> infection at hatching

Question 3

Which birds are most susceptible to Salmonella?

Answer 3

Young chicks

Question 4

What are the clinical and pathological signs of Salmonella infection?

Answer 4

• Anorexia, dullness, dehydration, retarded growth
• Septicaemic, enteritis, focal necrotic lesions in the mucosa of small intestines, caecal cores
• Inflammation of the spleen, liver and kidney
• Hydropericardium
• Haemorrhagic enteritis
• Hepatomegaly

Question 5

What is the public health importance of Salmonella?

Answer 5

• In human causes gastroenteritis, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever.
• If left untreated, may lead to death.
• Transmission…critical for infants, children and immunocompromised populations.

Question 6

What/who are the prevention point in shopping salmonella transmission?

Answer 6

• Breeders
• Broilers
• Layers
• Hatcheries
• Feed and water
• Housing

Question 7

What biosecurity measures should be taken to stop salmonella spread?

Answer 7

• Proper hygiene and sanitation
• Appropriate use of disinfectants
• Rodent control
• Quality and microbiology of feed
• Good source of chicks

Question 8

What are the best management approaches for optimal health of birds & “clean” environment?

Answer 8

• Stretegic medications
• Vaccination
• Minimal stress
• All in all out production system
• Thinning at intervals
• Removal of dead birds at least twice a day

Question 9

How can stress of birds be reduced?

Answer 9

• Decrease stocking density
• Feed/drinker space
• Vitamin C supplementation
• Heat management
• Minimal handling
• Adequate ventilation

Question 10

What are some prevention and treatment methods for Salmonella

Answer 10

• Vaccinations
• Probiotics in food and water to encourage a good microflora
• Competitive exclusion products
• Strategic use of antibiotic

Question 11

Coccidiosis is caused by which parasite?

Answer 11

Eimeria spp

Question 12

How is Eimeria/Coccidiosis diagnosed?

Answer 12

1. Farm history
2. Clinical examination
3. Sampling the feed
4. PM examination
5. Microscopic examination

Question 13

Name the two common mites of poultry

Answer 13

Northern foul mite

Common red chicken mite

Question 14

Give some examples of internal parasites that affect poultry

Answer 14

• Capillaria
• Trichostrongyles
• Tape worms
• Ascarids (roundworm)

Question 15

Which treatment is used for internal poultry parasites?

Answer 15

Flubendazole - licenced wormer

In the food for 7 days

Question 16

How can flock resistance against pathogens be increased?

Answer 16

• Good flock management
• Nutrition
• Avoid or minimum immunosuppression
• Strategic medications
• Vaccination

Question 17

What are the aims of vaccination in a flock?

Answer 17

• protect against losses
• reduce disease incidence and severity
• decrease mortality
• stop a drop in egg production and quality
• stop a drop in fertility

Question 18

Why can vaccinations fail?

Answer 18

• Host factors, eg. inappropriate age of vaccination, immunosuppression, birds already infected with field virus prior to vaccination, stress levels
• Environment, eg. too cold or too hot (host stress levels), inappropriate ventilation, high dust/ammonia, water contaminated with chlorine or anti-microbial agents
• Agent/vaccine, eg. wrong choice of vaccine -strains, storage of vaccines, inaccurate dilution, inaccurate administration