Diseases: Fowl Pox

Introduction

• A common disease of domestic and wild birds caused by a virus

 

Clinical Signs

• Two forms of the disease:

Skin form shows wart-like lesions on the comb, wattles, eyelids and other non-feathered areas

Diphtheritic or 'Wet' form shows yellowish lesions in the mouth, oesophagus and trachea. Birds have difficulty breathing.

• Weight loss, reduced egg production
• Disease course generally 3 to 4 weeks

 

Post Mortem Lesions

• Skin form: small whitish or yellowish areas, nodules or scabs
• Diphtheritic form: raised white or opaque nodules which may join to form yellow, cheesy, necrotic lesion

 

Diagnosis

• Lesions suggest Fowl pox
• Cutaneous form confirmed by virus isolation or histopathology

 

Sample Collection

• Nodules, especially recently developed lesions

 

Transmission

• Affects birds of both sexes, all ages and breeds
• Spread between birds is to injured or lacerated skin by contact
• Insects can also spread the virus
• Spread by aerosol from contaminated environment

 

Treatment

• No specific treatment
• Birds with mild lesions may survive if well cared for by providing shelter, food and water.

 

Prevention and Control

• Management – do not introduce new birds with lesions
• Virus survives in dried scabs for months or years.  Burn infected chicken houses and dispose of all infected birds.  Burn or bury all parts of the birds that are unused.  After all infected birds have been removed and no new cases occur, build another chicken house on a new site.
• Vaccines are available