Occurrence: Worldwide.   Species affected: Chickens, broiler breeder pullets, leghorn pullets.   Age affected: 2-20 weeks.

Causes: Causes by the double stranded DNA Adenovirus. It replicates in the nucleus forming basophilic inclusion bodies. Prior exposure to IBDV or CAV depresses the immune response and makes birds more susceptible to IBH.

Effects: Depression, ruffled feathers, feed refusal and poor feed conversion. Pale comb and wattles, gangrenous dermatitis, high mortality (up to 50%) and/or anaemia are common secondary findings.

IBH is an acute to chronic viral disease affecting chickens, broiler breeder pullets, leghorn pullets aged 2-20 weeks. IBH virus is an undeveloped, icosahedral, double-stranded DNA adenovirus. It replicates in the nucleus forming basophilic inclusion bodies.

Infected litter and fomites and transovarian transmission are important means for viral spread.

Prior exposure to IBDV or CAV depresses the immune response and makes birds more susceptible to IBH.

Signs include depression, ruffled feathers, off feed and poor feed conversion. Pale comb and wattles, gangrenous dermatitis, high mortality (up to 50%) and/or anaemia are common secondary findings.

Lesions include fatty and/or haemorrhage liver, pale bone marrow (anaemia), and haemorrhages in the skeletal and heart muscles.

Atrophy of spleen and bursa due to early IBDV or chick anaemia virus (CAV) infections are also a common finding.

Microscropic observations of liver cells will reveal diagnostic intranuclear inclusion bodies.

It simulates aflatoxicosis.

Avoid stress and vaccinate against IBD to help control the disease.

Antibiotics are recommended to reduce secondary invaders which may cause dermatitis and anaemia.

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