LanguageOften known as FOWL CHOLERA, infections from Pasteurella multocida in poultry may result in a dramatically negative effect on productivity. It usually affects birds in lay, which are more susceptible than younger chickens, jeopardizing the entire production cycle from an economic point of view. It may be transmitted from bird to bird by nasal and mucous membrane excretions in feed and water, but also by exogenous sources such as: rodents or other pests that may be linked to the feed supply systems, cats, dogs, several kinds of wild birds and feral species, dead birds left in the house, contaminated equipment and semen transfer in turkey breeders. Pasteurella multocida can be separated into different serotypes under several classification systems. Most commonly used is the somatic antigen serotyping.
The disease can also be classified according to its clinical appearance:
- a PER-ACUTE FORM, no morbidity can be observed, the birds die before showing signs of disease – “death on nest”
- an ACUTE FORM, characterised by septicaemia, with high morbidity and mortality, mucous discharges, diarrhoea, cyanosis of comb, egg yolk peritonitis, hepatitis, fibrinopurulent pneumonia and haemorrhages around the heart
- a CHRONIC FORM, often developing from birds that survived an acute phase, with swollen wattles and facial oedema, inner ear infections or meningitis – producing neurological signs, purulent arthritis, swollen joints, lameness
- Acute form - egg yolk peritonitis
- Chronic form - swollen wattles
Success of vaccination depends largely on whether the vaccine contains the right components for the serotypes involved in the outbreaks.
Turkeys of all ages may be highly susceptible to infections, usually incurring high mortality. Pasteurella multocida infections may also cause severe mortality in domestic ducks and geese.
The disease is spread throughout all continents and its control in domestic birds requires not only treatment and elimination of infected birds, but mainly prevention: stricter biosecurity and vaccination.