An atypical fowl pox outbreak in broiler flock in Dakahlia governorate

Abstract EN

An unusual fowl pox outbreak has been diagnosed in 40 days-old-unvaccinated broilers farm in Dakahlia Governorate during summer, 2004.

The most characteristic observation of this outbreak was that the pox signs and lesions were observed on the feathered parts of the body mainly in the posterior dorsal area of the chickens.

Classical pox lesions were also seen in the mouth, comb, wattle, eyelids and shank of some chickens.

Samples were collected from affected birds for virus isolation and histopathologically studies.

The isolated virus on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) was serologically confirmed.

Histopathologically examination revealed characteristic intracytoplasmic eosinophilia inclusion bodies in affected chicken tissues and CAM.

This outbreak caused severe economic losses due to cutaneous lesions in the feathered area of the body that resulted in high condemnation rate at processing plant beside to high mortality which reached upto25 %.