Outbreak of Egg Drop Syndrome in Bangladesh

Jahangir Alam,Md Al-Mamun,M J F A Taimur,Mohammed Abdus Samad,Mohammed Rahamat Ullah,Md Giasuddin

doi:10.5539/ijb.v1n1p56

Abstract

An incident alike to egg-drop syndrome (EDS) occurred in commercial egg laying chickens in Gazipur district,Bangladesh from July to November 2005. The chickens showed decreased egg production along with production ofshell less and soft shelled eggs when they were at predicted peak production age. Nutritional status, especially crudeprotein (16.65-18.50%) and calcium (2.15-3.62%) content of the supplied feed was within the range. Virological andserological investigations on causes of decreased egg production and production of soft-shelled and shell less egg by thelaying hens revealed that the responsible causative agent is EDS virus. Total seven EDS viruses were isolated fromcloacal swab (4), soft-shelled eggs (2) and feces (1). The isolation rate 71.43% (5/7) was higher in second passage thanin first passage 28.57% (2/7) in duck embryos. None of the 7 viruses grew in chicken embryo even after second passage.All five flocks tested, were vaccinated against infectious bronchitis and Newcastle disease along with other commonvaccines generally used in Bangladesh but not against EDS. Serological investigation revealed that birds in all testedfarms (100%) had antibody against EDS virus (in 2 farms in 100% samples and in 3 farms in 80% samples). The sourceof the virus remained to be determined. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of EDS outbreak inBangladesh. To save poultry industry in Bangladesh from harm of this disease the biosecurity measures should bestrictly followed along with vaccination against the disease.

Highlights

A syndrome causing lower egg production associated with the laying of soft-shelled and shell less egg was first described in the Netherlands in 1976 and reported that the possible causative agent of the syndrome was fowl adenovirus (Van Eck et al, 1976)
The crude protein (CP) and Ca content of the feed ranges from 16.65-18.50% (Farm A=18.25%, B= 18.50%, C=16.65%, D=18.25% and E=18.25%) and 2.15-3.85% (Farm A=2.5%, B=3.25%, C=2.85%, D=3.62% and E=2.15%) respectively
We found the CP (16.65-18.50%) and Ca (2.15-3.85%) content of the supplied feed was within the optimum range in most of the flocks

Summary

Introduction

A syndrome causing lower egg production associated with the laying of soft-shelled and shell less egg was first described in the Netherlands in 1976 and reported that the possible causative agent of the syndrome was fowl adenovirus (Van Eck et al, 1976). Several haemagglutinating adenoviruses were isolated by McFerran et al, (1978) from affected hens in Northern Ireland and the correlation between the syndrome and the isolate was demonstrated (McFerrin et al, 1977; McCraken et al, 1978). The disease called egg drop syndrome (EDS) caused by EDS virus is the foremost cause of loss of egg production in laying hens throughout the world. Antibody to the virus was demonstrated from chickens of Denmark, Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria and New Zealand (Badstue & Smidt, 1978; Hwang et al, 1980; Rosales et al, 1980; Nawathe et al, 1980; Howell, 1982)

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