Occurrence: reported in Europe, N. America, S. America, Middle East, Asia and New Zealand. Species affected: Broilers and turkeys. Age affected: 3-7 week old broilers.

Causes: Bacteria- Clostridium septicum, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus. Disease often occurs in birds which are already immunosuppressed due to a prior infection (Chicken anaemia, Infectious Bursal Disease) or mycotoxin ingestion.

Effects: Loss of feathers, pale combs and wattles, depression, incoordination, inappetence, leg weakness and ataxia (can’t move) can be seen. Mortality is low, but dead birds decompose quickly.

Broilers (over 3 weeks old) and turkeys can be affected by this chronic debilitating disease. It is caused by Clostridium septicum, E. coli and S. aureaus.

Transmission is by contact with infected wet, caked litter. The disease often occurs in immunosuppressed birds.

It causes increased condemnation. Immune depression increases incidence and severity of dermatitis. Immunodepression may be due to a prior infection with IBDV, MDV, ALV or CAV infection(s) or mycotoxin ingestion.

Diagnosis is by postmortem lesions, which include congestion, haemorrhage and necrosis of skin with intro lesion bacteria under the microscope.

Bacteria can be isolated anaerobically on 2.5% blood agar.

It simulates erysipelas.

Clean out house and add new litter to prevent the disease.

Medicate in starter feed Flavomycin, Virginamyciin, Bacitrcin and CTC can reduce bacteria. Virginiamycin and Bacitracin are banned in most countries.

Proper vaccination against IBDV, CAV and MDV prevent mycotoxin formation in the feed, and eliminate ALV in the breeders to prevent immunosuppression.

Erythromycin, penicillin in the feed to treat signs. Chlortetracycine, oxytetracycline, copper sulphate can be added to the water to reduce morbidity.

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