Avian pox is a contagious viral disease affecting birds, caused by a virus from the Poxviridae family and the Avipoxvirus genus. The virus is transmitted through direct contact between infected and healthy birds or via insect vectors such as mosquitoes. The disease causes the appearance of skin lesions in the form of lumps or nodules, which may lead to respiratory or digestive issues, and can impair the bird’s ability to eat or move. The severity of the disease can range from mild to fatal, particularly in birds with weakened immune systems.
Avian Pox:
Avian pox is a viral disease characterized by the appearance of a skin rash that later develops into warts and scales, affecting the comb, wattles, trachea, and mucous membranes in the mouth. The disease is widespread globally, affecting birds regardless of sex, age, or breed. It is especially important in chickens, turkeys, pigeons, lovebirds, and canaries.
Transmission:
The virus is transmitted mechanically through contact with broken or scratched skin or oral epithelial cells. Insects, such as mosquitoes, can serve as vectors. Overcrowding and cold weather conditions also contribute to the spread of the disease. In Iraq, infections are most common in spring and summer, coinciding with an increase in mosquito populations.
Clinical Symptoms:
Skin lesions, such as rashes and warts, are observed on the comb, wattles, face, and areas around the beak and eyelids, often leading to eye damage and blindness. Infections can also affect the legs, feet, mouth, esophagus, and trachea. Affected birds may suffer from starvation and dehydration. Respiratory symptoms, including sinus enlargement and loss of appetite, are also common. Mortality rates are especially high in young chicks, with death rates potentially reaching 50% in poultry flocks, particularly during the diphtheria phase of the disease. The disease lasts around three weeks. In pigeons, the disease shows similar clinical signs but with higher mortality rates, especially in pigeons and canaries.
Treatment:
There is no specific treatment for avian pox. Proper management and corrective measures are crucial. Once the disease is detected, it is recommended to vaccinate all birds after removing the infected ones.
Prevention:
Vaccination is the primary preventive measure.
- Chicks should be vaccinated at 4 weeks of age, with a booster before they reach 5 months, just before laying. This should be repeated every 6 months. The vaccination is typically administered through a wing-fold injection.
- In turkeys, chicks are vaccinated at 2–3 months of age, with a booster before they start producing eggs. This should then be repeated every 4 months using the same method or by injecting at the feather follicle behind the thigh.
The avian pox vaccine is prepared and produced as a live attenuated vaccine. The production line for the avian pox vaccine has recently been activated, and it will soon be available to poultry farmers, both commercial and domestic, with high immunization standards.
Note: The vaccine registration number is 3078, registered on 1st February 2021.
Source: “Poultry Diseases” by Dr. Fouad Al-Sheikhly and other references.