Fowl pox

Presented By: Dr Muhammad Awais

Tatari

Fowl poxSore head

Avian diphtheria

Bird pox

Introduction

• Fowlpox is contagious viral disease.

• Bird of all age is affected by this disease.

• Chicken and turkeys are mainly affected by this disease.

• Some viral type may also affect pigeon,geese.pheasants and quills.

• 1-2% mortality rate.

• Incubation period 2-3 weeks.

• Fowlpox is seen worldwide.

Etiology

• The large dsDNA virus an avipoxvirus belongs to family Poxviridae.

• Enveloped.• Bricked shaped virus.

Transmission

• Mosquitoes are the most common vectors for transmission of the avipoxvirus.

• The virus can also be transmitted indirectly by contaminated surfaces or airborne particles.

• Contaminated water and feed.

• Scales of disease bird also transmit the disease.

• Through wounds.

• Vertical transmission is suspected.

Clinical sign

• Cutaneous form (Dry form)

• Diphtheritic form (wet form)

• Oculonasal form

Cutaneous form (Dry form)

• Warts like growths are seen on face, comb, wattle and featherless part of the body.

• They grow readily and then yellow and later turn black or brown lesion.

• After 2-3 weeks the lesion dry up and scabby.

• In some cases, lesions are limited chiefly to the feet and legs.

• Cutaneous lesions on the eyelids may cause complete closure of one or both eyes.

• This form is more common then other.

Diphtheritic form (wet form)

• White patches or slightly elevated nodule occur inside the mouth and tongue.

• The mucous membrane of mouth and esophagus are affected.

• The breathing may be difficult.

Oculonasal form

• Eruption occur on the opening of eye and nose.

• The ear and nose may swell and discharge from eye and nose may be seen.

• The affected bird do not eat and le idley.

Post mortem lesion

• The diphtheritic form is recognized by the presence of nodular hyperplasia of the mucosa of the pharynx and trachea.

• Chickens which die of diphtheritic pox may show a plug of desquamated epithelium which lodge in the glottis resulting in asphyxiation.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis Cutaneous lesions are characteristic.

• Histological examination of affected tissue will confirm the presence of intracytoplasmic inclusions (Bollinger bodies) in the respiratory mucosa and skin.

• PCR

Differential diagnose

• Necrotic dermatitis.• Leg mites. • Thrush and canker.

Prevention & Controls

• Using a mild-attenuated avipox, chicken-strain virus vaccine administered at approximately 8 weeks of age.

• In some areas, broilers are routinely vaccinated against avian pox by subcutaneous injection at day-old.

• All in all out program.

• Control mosquito. (anti mosquito spray)

• Biosecurity

Treatment

• Oxytetracyclin 300mg per gallon water for three days.

• Treat scabs with dilute iodine solution.

• Apply ointment to soften the scab. Mix 2 tablespoon of sulfur powder with ½ cup Vaseline. Apply daily until lesion heal.

• Mix diluted iodine solute on in flock drinking water. 1 teaspoon of 1% iodine solution per gallon of drinking water.

• Sanitize drinking water.