Content
- What is Avian Infectious Bronchitis?
- How is infectious bronchitis in chickens transmitted?
- Is infectious bronchitis in chickens zoonotic?
- Symptoms of Infectious Bronchitis in Chickens
- Diagnosis of infectious bronchitis in chickens
- Treatment for Infectious Bronchitis in Chickens
- Vaccine for infectious bronchitis in chickens
In this article by PeritoAnimal we will explain about the avian infectious bronchitis, a disease that, although discovered in 1930, remains the cause of countless deaths in infected birds. In fact, it is one of the most common diseases in chickens and roosters, although the virus that causes it does not only affect this animal species.
The development of a vaccine that offers greater immunity against this disease is still being researched today, as it is not only deadly but also highly contagious, as you will see below. So, if you live with birds and noticed respiratory symptoms that made you suspect this problem, read on to find out all about the infectious bronchitis of chickens, its clinical symptoms and treatment.
What is Avian Infectious Bronchitis?
Chicken infectious bronchitis (BIG) is a Acute and highly contagious viral disease, caused by a coronavirus belonging to the order of nidovirals. Although its name is associated with the respiratory system, it is not the only one that this disease affects. BIG is capable of causing damage to the intestines, kidneys and reproductive system.
It is distributed worldwide, can infect birds of any age and is not specific to chickens and roosters, as it has also been described in turkeys, quails and partridges. For this reason, although many people know the disease as infectious bronchitis of chickens, the truth is that it is a disease that affects different species.
How is infectious bronchitis in chickens transmitted?
At contagion pathways most important are aerosols and feces of infected animals. This is a very contagious disease, which can spread from one bird to another very quickly if several of these animals live in the same house. Likewise, the mortality rate from BIG is extremely high, which is why it is so important to take precautions and isolate the infected animal to avoid contagion from the rest of the animals.
Is infectious bronchitis in chickens zoonotic?
BIG is a highly contagious disease, but fortunately only occurs in birds (and not in all species). Fortunately, this virus is not viable in humans, so BIG is not considered a zoonotic disease. In any case, it is convenient to disinfect areas that have had contact with the sick animal, as humans can transport the virus from one place to another and spread it unintentionally, making other birds sick.
Symptoms of Infectious Bronchitis in Chickens
The easiest symptoms to identify are those related to the name of the disease, that is, respiratory symptoms. You may also notice reproductive signs, in the case of females, and kidney signs. The following symptoms are important evidence for diagnosing this disease, so these are the most common clinical signs of infectious bronchitis in chickens:
- Cough;
- Nasal discharge;
- Sighs;
- wheezing;
- Grouping of birds in heat sources;
- Depression, malaise, wet beds;
- Decrease in the external and internal quality of eggs, resulting in deformed or shellless eggs;
- Watery stools and increased water consumption.
As we have seen, some of the symptoms can be confused with those of other diseases, such as avian cholera or avian smallpox, so it is necessary to urgently consult your veterinarian.
Diagnosis of infectious bronchitis in chickens
Diagnosis of this disease is not easily performed in clinics, as it presents symptoms that also occur in other diseases. In these types of cases, one must rely on the laboratory to arrive at an accurate and reliable diagnosis. In some cases, it is possible to make the diagnosis by isolation and identification of the avian infectious bronchitis virus through serological tests. However, this virus has certain antigenic alterations that affect the specificity of the test, that is, the results are not 100% reliable.
Some authors have described other diagnostic techniques used in recent times, such as CPR (polymerase chain reaction). Using this type of molecular genetics techniques, the test has high specificity and high sensitivity, obtaining much more reliable results.
It should be noted that these types of lab tests are often expensive. However, it is part of the necessary care to go to the Veterinary clinic to find the problem causing the symptoms and treat it.
Treatment for Infectious Bronchitis in Chickens
There is no specific treatment against avian infectious bronchitis. Any of the medications used serve to alleviate signs and symptoms, but they are not able to eliminate the virus. In some cases, symptom control, usually performed with antibiotics, can reduce mortality, especially when the disease is diagnosed early. Antibiotics are never prescribed for viral illnesses but can sometimes help prevent secondary infections associated with opportunistic bacteria. Of course, it must be the specialist who prescribes antibiotics for infectious bronchitis in chickens. You should never self-medicate your birds, this can considerably worsen the clinical picture.
The prevention and control of this disease are carried out through the vaccination and health measures.
Vaccine for infectious bronchitis in chickens
The basis for the prevention and control of many diseases is vaccination. They exist two types of vaccines that are used for BIG and protocols may vary depending on the area where they will be implemented and according to the criteria of each veterinarian. Generally, these types of vaccine against avian infectious bronchitis are used:
- live vaccines (attenuated virus);
- Inactivated vaccines (dead virus).
It is important to remember that the serotype Massachusetts it is considered the classic type of infectious bronchitis in chickens and vaccines based on this type of serotype offer a certain degree of protection against other serotypes as well. Currently, research continues to be carried out to bring to the market a vaccine that can guarantee protection against any serotype of the disease.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.