Gumboro Disease (IBD); an Acute, Highly Contagious Viral Infection in Chickens
Gumboro Disease , also known as infectious bursal disease, infectious avian nephrosis, and infectious bursitis, is a highly contagious disease mostly seen in young chickens and turkeys at the age of 3 to 6 weeks, and is caused by infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). Signs and symptoms may include dehydration, ruffled feathers, watery diarrhea, and depression. It results from the deposition of pathogenic bacteria and other organisms on the toes and lower parts of the legs. Common causes are infections of roundworms, ringworms, distemper, fleas, ticks, lice, etc., and infections of the lymph nodes or draining lymph system, or nephritis. Gumboro Disease may be primary or secondary, and usually occurs in untreated sick geese or sick turkeys. It can lead to death, if left untreated. This condition is spread through unbroken skin contact and is fatal in up to 50% of infected turkeys. Infectious bursitis can be prevented by daily examination of the bottom half of the ...