Fowlpox: identification and adoption of prophylactic measures in backyard chickens in Bahia, Brazil

Ps Da Silva,Pcc Maia,Efg Herval,I Ramos,T De B Batinga,Ts Sales,Lmb Fernandes

doi:10.1590/s1516-635x2009000200007

Abstract

This paper describes the identification of an outbreak of fowlpox in backyard chickens in two villages the state of Bahia, the intervention strategy to control the disease by adopting health measures and vaccination, as well as the impact of the intervention. The diagnosis was based in clinical and laboratory data. After the diagnosis was confirmed, control measures and the vaccination of non-infected birds were recommended. Finally, the impact of the intervention on re-incidence of the disease was evaluated. A number of 700 chickens was vaccinated, after which only 9% of the farmers reported the occurrence of new cases, and 70% informed the acquisition of new birds after vaccination. The information reported in this paper can be useful to design strategic plans to control fowlpox in backyard chickens.

Highlights

Fowlpox is a viral disease characterized by proliferative and nodular lesions in the featherless parts of the skin or fibrino-necrotic and proliferative in the mouth, esophagus, and mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract (Hsieh, 2005)
Extensive crusty lesions were found on the corner of eyes and ears, which are consistent with fowlpox (Figure 1)
The histological examination confirmed the suspicion of fowlpox, revealing the presence of Bollinger bodies, which are characteristic of this viral infection (Figure 2)

Summary

Introduction

Fowlpox is a viral disease characterized by proliferative and nodular lesions in the featherless parts of the skin or fibrino-necrotic and proliferative in the mouth, esophagus, and mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract (Hsieh, 2005). Clinical signs may vary according to host susceptibility, virulence of the virus strain, and lesion distribution (Tripathy & Reed, 2003). Fowlpox is globally distributed (Isa et al, 2002; Tripathy & Reed, 2003; Pledger, 2005), despite being considered recent in North America (Pledger, 2005). The incidence is higher in tropical and subtropical countries (Beytut & Haligur, 2007). This disease is economically important in commercial poultry production, as it may cause decline in egg production, mortality (Isa et al, 2002; Ariyshi et al, 2003), and lower growth rate (Isa et al, 2002)

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