Turkey viral hepatitis occurs worldwide in turkeys of all ages. It is a highly contagious, but as yet unclassified virus.
- Causes of Turkey viral hepatitis >
- Effects of Turkey viral hepatitis >
- Diagnosis of Turkey viral hepatitis >
- Treatment & Control of Turkey viral hepatitis >
Causes of Turkey viral hepatitis
(There is a 1-7 day incubation period). It is often subclinical. Depression, sudden death and morbidity to 100% and mortality to 25% can occur. Breeder flocks can show reduced production, fertility and hatchability.
Postmortem lesions
Lesions include catarrhal enteritis, bronchopneumonia, peritonitis, or air sacculitis. Focal grey, depressed areas on the liver and circular grey-pink areas on pancreas may be seen.
Effects of Turkey viral hepatitis
Turkeys of all ages can be affected with this acute, highly contagious and typically subclinical disease. The virus responsible has not been classified.
Mode of transmission
Spread by faecal-oral route and there may also be vertical transmission.
Diagnosis of Turkey viral hepatitis
Clinical signs and gross lesions in the liver and pancreas of turkeys are characteristic. Isolation of the virus from the liver in the yolk sac of embryonating eggs is diagnostic. Reinfection of day-old poults to reproduce the disease is also important. It simulates histomoniasis and bacterial hepatitis.
Treatment & Control of Turkey viral hepatitis
Prevention
Biosecurity is important
Treatment
None.
