If you own chickens its likely you have heard of Mareks disease. It is a Highly contagious air borne disease that is everywhere! It can give your bird paralysis in the neck and limbs and tumors inside the organs. Some strains are ocular and turn the iris of the eye blue followed by the tumors and paralysis and ultimately death. It is a horrific disease. It can travel in the air and is virtually everywhere! It is shed by the infected chickens dander and can infect your land for years to come. Its known as a chicken cancer its so bad. Marek's disease is a highly contagious viral neoplastic disease in chickens. It is named after József Marek, a Hungarian veterinarian. Occasionally misdiagnosed as an abtissue pathology it is caused by an alphaherpesvirus known as 'Marek's disease virus' (MDV) or Gallid herpesvirus 2 (GaHV-2). The disease is characterized by the presence of T cell lymphoma as well as infiltration of nerves and organs by lymphocytes.[1] Viruses related to MDV appear to be benign and can be used as vaccine strains to prevent Marek's disease. For example, the related Herpesvirus of Turkeys (HVT), causes no apparent disease in turkeys and continues to be used as a vaccine strain for prevention of Marek's disease (see below). Birds infected with GaHV-2 can be carriers and shedders of the virus for life. Newborn chicks are protected by maternal antibodies for a few weeks. After infection, microscopic lesions are present after one to two weeks, and gross lesions are present after three to four weeks. The virus is spread in dander from feather follicles and transmitted by inhalation.[2] you can prevent this disease and protect your chickens for a few dollars by getting the Mareks vaccine.
No comments:
Post a Comment