Fowl cholera

Fowl cholera is a bacterial disease of birds caused by organism Pasteurella multocida, affecting birds of 6 weeks old and above. It is a serious and highly contagious disease which can range from acute septicemia to chronic and localized infections and the morbidity and mortality may be up to 100%. The disease gets transmitted via nasal exudates, feces, contaminated soil, equipment, and people. Clinical findings vary greatly depending on the course of the disease. In the acute form, witnessing a large number of mortality without any prior clinical signs is usually the first indication of disease. In more protracted cases, depression, anorexia, mucoid discharge from the mouth, ruffled feathers, diarrhea, and increased respiratory rate are usually seen. In chronic form of fowl cholera, signs and lesions are generally related to localized infections of the sternal bursae, wattles, joints, tendon sheaths, and footpads, etc. which often are swollen. There may be exudative conjunctivitis and pharyngitis. Torticollis may result when the meninges of the brain and spinal cord, middle ear, or cranial bones are affected.

Signs of Fowl Cholera
In acute cases, birds that appear healthy die suddenly while in chronic cases the affected birds show the following:
• Yellow, green or grey diarrhoea
• Loss of appetite
• Laboured breathing
• Drooped wings and tail feathers
• Ruffled feathers
• Swelling of the leg joints, sinuses, wattle and foot pad
• Twisting of the neck (torticolis)
• Discharge from the nostril or beak
• Note: The above signs are also similar to those of fowl typhoid.

Treatment, Prevention and Control

Fowl cholera can be treated using sulfa drugs, tetracycline and erythromycin. Poultry birds can vaccinated against Fowl cholera by administering a fowl cholera vaccine. Maintain proper hygiene and sanitation. Practice a high level of biosecurity and prevent rodents, wild birds and other animals.

DR RAJESH KUMAR SINGH

JAMSHEDPUR, JHARKHAND, INDIA

9431309542, rajeshsinghvet@gmail.com