Today, our lesson will be on one of the most threatening poultry diseases “Fowl Pox.”
What is Fowl Pox?
Fowl pox is a worldwide viral contagious disease of poultry caused by viruses of the family Poxviridae and the genus Avipoxvirus. The viruses causing fowl pox are distinct from one another but antigenically similar, possible hosts includes chickens, turkeys, quail, and other species of birds. Fowl Pox disease are in two forms.
The first is spread by biting insects (mostly mosquitoes) and wound contamination and causes lesions on the comb, wattles, and beak. Birds affected by this form usually recover within a few weeks. The second form is spread by inhalation of the virus and causes a diphtheritic membrane to form in the mouth, pharynx, larynx, and sometimes the trachea. The prognosis for this form is poor.
Most birds survive the infections, although very young or weak birds may be lost.
Ways of Transmission
The virus is transmitted to birds mostly by biting insects, mostly mosquitoes.
The virus can also be transmitted to other chickens through an infected birds Scab secretions and blood (hot debris), skin dander, feather debris and sloughed off scabs.
Symptoms of Fowl Pox
Symptoms generally persist several weeks in a bird, and several months in a flock.
- Dry Pox Symptoms: Initial stages of pox in a bird are Raised lesions or blisters on the comb, face and wattles. Blisters evolve into larger bumps, and finally dark coloured, wart looking scabs.
- Wet Pox Symptoms: Lesions inside the mouth and throat, and this could be life threatening.
Other symptoms includes;
- Drop in egg production, in laying birds
- Loss of appetite
- Loss in weight etc.
Treatment
There is no permanent cure for fowl pox, but preventative measures can be taken to avoid secondary bacteria, and further spread of the virus.
- Uninfected flock should be vaccinated against fowl pox
- Treat scabs with an iodine solution
- Apply ointment to soften scabs, use until scabs heals
- Clean the pen with a sanitizer and detergents before restocking
- Addition of polidine or any other iodine solution into the water till disease subsides is good
- Give pox off, pox care or pox treat
Practice a good biosecurity management.
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Divine Farmer 