This document discusses diseases that affect poultry. It describes ante mortem inspection procedures conducted on farms before birds are transported to slaughterhouses. Veterinarians examine flocks and issue certificates to determine if birds require special handling. The document outlines notifiable diseases according to OIE lists and details inspection procedures at slaughterhouses. It provides information on several bacterial, viral and parasitic diseases that impact poultry, including salmonellosis, fowl typhoid, tuberculosis, colibacillosis and mycoplasmosis. Zoonotic potential and meat condemnation policies are discussed for major diseases.

1. DISEASE OF POULTRYDISEASE OF POULTRY
DR. NAGY EÖRSNÉDR. NAGY EÖRSNÉ
Central Veterinary Institute, BudapestCentral Veterinary Institute, Budapest
Department of Poultry PathologyDepartment of Poultry Pathology

2. ANTE MORTEM INSPECTIONANTE MORTEM INSPECTION
 At the farm before transportation to the slaughterhouse the poultryAt the farm before transportation to the slaughterhouse the poultry
flock must be examined by veterinarian.flock must be examined by veterinarian.
 A certificate must be composed on the results of this inspection andA certificate must be composed on the results of this inspection and
the pre-life of the flockthe pre-life of the flock
 If the certificate is available – and it is negative – and it does notIf the certificate is available – and it is negative – and it does not
indicate the necessity of special measures, the ante mortem inspectionindicate the necessity of special measures, the ante mortem inspection
at the slaughterhouse will include the identification of transportedat the slaughterhouse will include the identification of transported
flock and control of injuries took place during transportation,flock and control of injuries took place during transportation,
furthermore the examination of dead birds.furthermore the examination of dead birds.
 Based on these data and examinations the veterinarian decides whetherBased on these data and examinations the veterinarian decides whether
the flock will be submitted to normal or special slaughter or furtherthe flock will be submitted to normal or special slaughter or further
special examination.special examination.

3. HUNGARIAN ZOO SANITARY CODEHUNGARIAN ZOO SANITARY CODE
41/1997.(V. 28.) FM. r.41/1997.(V. 28.) FM. r.
Notifiable DiseasesNotifiable Diseases
 O.I.E. list AO.I.E. list A
– Newcastle diseaseNewcastle disease (Paramyxovirus)(Paramyxovirus)
– Avian influenzaAvian influenza (Orthomyxovirus)(Orthomyxovirus)
– Duck plaqueDuck plaque (Herpesvirus)(Herpesvirus)
 O.I.E. listO.I.E. list BB
– Fowl choleraFowl cholera
– Fowl typhoidFowl typhoid
In case of these diseases the flock is slaughtered separatelyIn case of these diseases the flock is slaughtered separately
– mostly at the end of the day-– mostly at the end of the day- as it is not condemnedas it is not condemned

4. Diseases of PoultryDiseases of Poultry ←→←→ ZoonosisZoonosis
 ParatyphParatyphoidoid (Salmonellosis, except(Salmonellosis, except
typhoid)typhoid)
 CampylobacteriosisCampylobacteriosis
 ChlamydiosisChlamydiosis
 TuberculosisTuberculosis
 /Anthrax//Anthrax/

5. Inspection of the surfaceInspection of the surface
 injuries (as consequences of transportation)injuries (as consequences of transportation)
 inflammation of skininflammation of skin
arthritisarthritis
synovitissynovitis
(infection of Staph(infection of Staphylococcusylococcus aureus)aureus)
 Marek’s disease (skin form)Marek’s disease (skin form)

6. Inspection ofInspection of visceralvisceral organsorgans and theand the
bodybody cavitycavity
Bacterial infectionsBacterial infections
 Salmonellosis (Fowl typhoid)Salmonellosis (Fowl typhoid)
 Pasteurellosis (Fowl cholera)Pasteurellosis (Fowl cholera)
 E. coli septicaemiaE. coli septicaemia
 StaphylococcosisStaphylococcosis
 StreptococcosisStreptococcosis

7. SepticaemiaSepticaemia
 hhaemorrhages and/or fibrinousaemorrhages and/or fibrinous
inflammation on seromembranesinflammation on seromembranes
– pleuritispleuritis
– pericarditispericarditis
– air sacculitisair sacculitis
 liver, spleen conditions:liver, spleen conditions:
– enlargedenlarged
– friable (associated with subcapsular haemorrhages)friable (associated with subcapsular haemorrhages)
 lungs,lungs, intestines, genitalsintestines, genitals

8. ParatyphoidParatyphoid (Salmonellosis)(Salmonellosis)
ZoonosisZoonosis S. enteritidisS. enteritidis
 S. typhimuriumS. typhimurium
 S. infantisS. infantis
 S. hadarS. hadar
 S. agonaS. agona
 S. saint-paulS. saint-paul
 S. bovis-morbificans …etc.S. bovis-morbificans …etc.

9.  Gram negative rods with filamentsGram negative rods with filaments
 SSensitivity:ensitivity: 70° C 5 min70° C 5 min
fresh meat - 2-3 weeksfresh meat - 2-3 weeks
frozen meat - yearsfrozen meat - years
 Pathology:Pathology: septicaemia (enlarged spleen, liver,septicaemia (enlarged spleen, liver,
necrotic foci, enteritis (fibrinous inflammationnecrotic foci, enteritis (fibrinous inflammation
in caecum! - water fowl! )in caecum! - water fowl! )
 Total condemned for humanTotal condemned for human cconsumption!onsumption!
 Slaughterhouse hygenie, household hygenieSlaughterhouse hygenie, household hygenie
(contamination!)(contamination!)

10. Fowl typhoidFowl typhoid
 Salmonella gallinarum/pullorumSalmonella gallinarum/pullorum
adapted to special hostadapted to special host
Gram negative rods without any filamentsGram negative rods without any filaments
 sensitive to 70sensitive to 70°°C 5 minC 5 min
in fresh meat for 2-4 monthin fresh meat for 2-4 month
in frozen meat for yearsin frozen meat for years
in water for 4-6 weeksin water for 4-6 weeks
 Germinative transmission!Germinative transmission!

11. Pathology:Pathology:
 eenlarged spleennlarged spleen
liver within small necrotic fociliver within small necrotic foci
 white-grey (necrotic) nodules in myocardiumwhite-grey (necrotic) nodules in myocardium
in lungsin lungs
in intestinein intestine
 fibrinous inflammation of seromembranesfibrinous inflammation of seromembranes
 degenerated follicles on ovary,degenerated follicles on ovary,
salpingitissalpingitis
 arthritisarthritis

12. Poultry meat is partial condemned forPoultry meat is partial condemned for
human consumptionhuman consumption
 only the affected areas are condemnedonly the affected areas are condemned
(mostly the parenchymal organs and(mostly the parenchymal organs and
intestines - in case of arthritis the legs areintestines - in case of arthritis the legs are
removed)removed)

15. TuberculosisTuberculosis
ZoonosisZoonosis
 Mycobacterium aviumMycobacterium avium
 Gram negative,Gram negative,
Ziehl-Nelsen positive slim rodZiehl-Nelsen positive slim rodss
 Main character:Main character: acid- and alcohol-fastnessacid- and alcohol-fastness
 SSensitivity: (Pasteur)ensitivity: (Pasteur)
•
85°C - 1 sec85°C - 1 sec
•
72-76°C - 14-45 sec72-76°C - 14-45 sec
•
62-65°C - 30 min62-65°C - 30 min

16.  Domesticated birds:Domesticated birds: adultadult onlyonly
wildwild- exotic- exotic birdsbirds (ZOO)(ZOO), ostrich, ostrich
 Pathology:Pathology:
bad conditionbad condition
grey-yellow nodules of varying sizes ingrey-yellow nodules of varying sizes in
- diff. organs- diff. organs
- intestines- intestines
- bone marrow- bone marrow
 Condemned for human consumptionCondemned for human consumption

18. ColibacillosisColibacillosis
 Gram negative rodsGram negative rods
 ssepticaemiaepticaemia
 coligranulomatosis (intestine,coligranulomatosis (intestine, mesenterium)mesenterium)
 CRDCRD
 Partial condemned for human consumptionPartial condemned for human consumption

21. Chronic Respiratory DiseaseChronic Respiratory Disease
MycoplasmosisMycoplasmosis
 Mycoplasma gallisepticumMycoplasma gallisepticum
 Mycoplasma synoviaeMycoplasma synoviae
 Mycoplasma meleagridisMycoplasma meleagridis
 Mycoplasma iowaeMycoplasma iowae
 Mycoplasma anserisMycoplasma anseris
 Mycoplasma cloacalaeMycoplasma cloacalae
 Mycoplasma anatumMycoplasma anatum
 UreaplasmasUreaplasmas

22.  Pathogenicy varied, mostly fakultative pathogen !Pathogenicy varied, mostly fakultative pathogen !
 In general Mycoplasmas are cIn general Mycoplasmas are colonizing mucosalolonizing mucosal
surfacessurfaces
 They areThey are associated with bacteria and/or virusesassociated with bacteria and/or viruses
(respiratory virus infection, E. coli,(respiratory virus infection, E. coli,
Ornithobacterium..)Ornithobacterium..)
 sstresstress
immunsuppression (viral diseases, mycotoxins..)immunsuppression (viral diseases, mycotoxins..)

23. Fowl cholera/PasteurellosisFowl cholera/Pasteurellosis
 Mainly in turkey, water fowlMainly in turkey, water fowl
 Pasteurella multocidaPasteurella multocida acute formacute form
chronic formchronic form
 Gram negative coccoid-rodsGram negative coccoid-rods
Sensitivity: 60°C 2 minSensitivity: 60°C 2 min
 PathologyPathology: septicaemia: septicaemia
arthritisarthritis
salpingitissalpingitis
fibrinopurulent meningitisfibrinopurulent meningitis
fibrinousfibrinous inflammation of phallusinflammation of phallus
 Septicaemia - condemnedSepticaemia - condemned
Chronic form: partial condemned (except cachexia)Chronic form: partial condemned (except cachexia)

26. ErysipelasErysipelas
 Water fowlWater fowl
 Erysipelothrix rhusiopatiaeErysipelothrix rhusiopatiae
GramGram positivepositive rodrodss
sensitivity: mildsensitivity: mild
 ssepticaemiaepticaemia
 Diff. diagn.: PasteurellosisDiff. diagn.: Pasteurellosis ((septicaemiasepticaemia))
 Partial condemned for human consumptionPartial condemned for human consumption

27. StaphylococcosisStaphylococcosis
 Staphylococcus aureusStaphylococcus aureus
Gram positive coccusGram positive coccus
 UUbiquiter, pathogen if allowed entry through thebiquiter, pathogen if allowed entry through the
skin or mucousskin or mucousalal membranesmembranes
 Pathology:Pathology:septicaemiasepticaemia – young birds– young birds
arthritis, periarthritisarthritis, periarthritis
synovitis, osteomyelitissynovitis, osteomyelitis - adult- adult
gangrenous dermatitisgangrenous dermatitis
(wings, legs)(wings, legs) in broilersin broilers
 Condemned or partial condemnedCondemned or partial condemned

28. CampylobacteriosisCampylobacteriosis
ZoonosisZoonosis
 Campylobacter jejuniCampylobacter jejuni
C. coliC. coli
 Microaerophyl, Gram negative, mild sensitivityMicroaerophyl, Gram negative, mild sensitivity
 It is an intestinal commercial in broiler breeders,It is an intestinal commercial in broiler breeders,
layer-type breeders, turkey.layer-type breeders, turkey.
 Hepatitis (enteritis) in poultryHepatitis (enteritis) in poultry
Enteritis in humanEnteritis in human
Slaughterhouse and household hygiene!Slaughterhouse and household hygiene!

29. Chlamydiosis (Ornithosis)Chlamydiosis (Ornithosis)
ZoonosisZoonosis
 Chlamydia psittaciChlamydia psittaci
 IntracellularIntracellular
 Pigeon,Pigeon, turkeys, ducks,turkeys, ducks, gees, pheasantgees, pheasant
 Inhaling dust from feces or featherInhaling dust from feces or feather
 Slaughterhose hygenieSlaughterhose hygenie

30. AnthraxAnthrax
ZoonosisZoonosis
 It occursIt occurs rarely in birdsrarely in birds where the disease iswhere the disease is
endemicendemic..
 Chicken are highly resistant.Chicken are highly resistant.
 Ducks have occasionally developed the diseaseDucks have occasionally developed the disease
 OstrichesOstriches are moderately susceptible, often withare moderately susceptible, often with
high mortality.high mortality.
(Dis.of Poultry. Barnes)(Dis.of Poultry. Barnes)

31. Viral DiseasesViral Diseases
 Newcastle diseaseNewcastle disease
 Avian influenzaAvian influenza
 Fowl poxFowl pox
 Infectious bronchitisInfectious bronchitis
 Infectious laryngotracheitisInfectious laryngotracheitis
 Infectious bursitisInfectious bursitis
 Marek's diseaseMarek's disease

32. Newcastle diseaseNewcastle disease
 Notifiable disease !Notifiable disease !
 Avian paramyxovirus (Avian paramyxovirus (serserotype 1, 8otype 1, 8
genotypes)genotypes)
 different pathogenity (v, m, l, a)different pathogenity (v, m, l, a)
 chicken, pheasant, turkey, pigeon, wildchicken, pheasant, turkey, pigeon, wild
birdsbirds
(water fowl)(water fowl)
 SensitivitySensitivity: 56 °C - 3 min: 56 °C - 3 min
pH 3 - 3 minpH 3 - 3 min disinfectandisinfectantt

33.  Clinical signsClinical signs::
respiratory diseaserespiratory disease
enteritidisenteritidis
nervnervousous signssigns
marked drop in egg productionmarked drop in egg production
 Pathology:Pathology:
– haemorrhageshaemorrhages on seromembranes,on seromembranes,
on mucosal membraneson mucosal membranes
(proventricul(proventriculii, small intestine,, small intestine,
cecaceca,, -lymphoid tonsils -,-lymphoid tonsils -,
tracheatrachea, pharynx, pharynx))
– enteritidisenteritidis
– diphtherioddiphtheriod inflammation on lymphoid tonsilsinflammation on lymphoid tonsils
on pharyon pharynxnx

36.  IsolationIsolation of virus (pathogenicity)of virus (pathogenicity)
 Prevention / VaccinationPrevention / Vaccination
 Differential diagnosisDifferential diagnosis
(septicaemia, CRD, IBD, ILT, IB, Fowl pox,(septicaemia, CRD, IBD, ILT, IB, Fowl pox,
pneumovirus, coccidiosis, mycotoxicosis)pneumovirus, coccidiosis, mycotoxicosis)

37. if NDV is observed on the farm:if NDV is observed on the farm:
In compliance with EU directive 93/119/EC,In compliance with EU directive 93/119/EC,
depopulation of infected flocks may take placedepopulation of infected flocks may take place
using the following methods/drugs/systems:using the following methods/drugs/systems:
 Electronarcosis by water dippingElectronarcosis by water dipping
 Decapitation and dislocation of the neckDecapitation and dislocation of the neck
 Gassing with carbon dioxideGassing with carbon dioxide
 Vacuum tankVacuum tank
if NDV is observed in the slaughter-houseif NDV is observed in the slaughter-house
everything is condemned, and everything has to beeverything is condemned, and everything has to be
desinfecteddesinfected

38. Fowl poxFowl pox
 Poxviridae,Poxviridae, AvipoxAvipox
 SensitivitySensitivity: 50°C heating 30 min: 50°C heating 30 min
60°C 8 min60°C 8 min
in dry scabs for months/yearsin dry scabs for months/years
pH 5-9 resistantpH 5-9 resistant

39.  cucutaneous formtaneous form
nodular (proliferative) lesions on the comb, wattle,nodular (proliferative) lesions on the comb, wattle,
eyelids, other non feathered areaseyelids, other non feathered areas
 diphtheroid formdiphtheroid form
nodules on mucosal membranes of pharynx,nodules on mucosal membranes of pharynx,
trachea, oesophagustrachea, oesophagus
 sspecial histopathologicalpecial histopathological changeschanges
(cytoplasmic inclusion body)(cytoplasmic inclusion body)

42. Infectious LaryngotracheitisInfectious Laryngotracheitis
 HerpesvirusHerpesvirus
 Sensitivity:Sensitivity: mild (halogen-detergents + iodophors,mild (halogen-detergents + iodophors,
heating, butheating, but ((-18°-18° C-25°C-25° C !)C !)
 Acute respiratory diseaseAcute respiratory disease
 ConjunctivitisConjunctivitis
LaryngitisLaryngitis
TracheitisTracheitis
(Hist(Histoopathology:pathology: intranuclear inclusion bodyintranuclear inclusion body inin
epithelial cells by 3 day PI)epithelial cells by 3 day PI)

45. Infectious bronchitisInfectious bronchitis
 CoronavirusCoronavirus
 Sensitivity:Sensitivity: 56°C 15 min56°C 15 min
at room temperature 2-3 daysat room temperature 2-3 days
commoncommon detergents destroydetergents destroy
 Pathology:Pathology:
acute catarrhal tracheitis, bronchitisacute catarrhal tracheitis, bronchitis
sinusitis, air sacculitissinusitis, air sacculitis
local pneumolocal pneumoniania
 nephritis, salpnephritis, salpiingitis (eggs !)ngitis (eggs !)

48. Infectious bursal DiseaseInfectious bursal Disease
(Gumboro Disease)(Gumboro Disease)
 BirnavirusBirnavirus
 bursa Fabricii (B lymphoid cells)bursa Fabricii (B lymphoid cells)
immunsuppression !immunsuppression !
 Sensitivity:Sensitivity: very stabil virus!very stabil virus!
60-70°C -30 min60-70°C -30 min
0.5 % chloramines 10 min0.5 % chloramines 10 min
invert soap + 0,05 sodium hydroxideinvert soap + 0,05 sodium hydroxide

49.  Pathology:Pathology:
haemorrhageshaemorrhages
in muscles (legs, breast)in muscles (legs, breast)
on mucosal membrane of proventriculion mucosal membrane of proventriculi
on lymphoid tonsils of intestineon lymphoid tonsils of intestine
oedema and haemorrhageous inflammation ofoedema and haemorrhageous inflammation of
bursa Fabriciibursa Fabricii
 Diff. diagnosis:Diff. diagnosis: NewcastleNewcastle diseasedisease
mycotoxicosismycotoxicosis
 Prevention:Prevention: vaccination, hygienevaccination, hygiene

51. Marek’s DiseaseMarek’s Disease
 HerpesvirusHerpesvirus (cell associated virus)(cell associated virus)
 Sensitivity:Sensitivity: ↑↑
 Pathogenity:Pathogenity:
„classical” form (lesions in peripheral nerves)„classical” form (lesions in peripheral nerves)
tumoral formtumoral form
(lymphoid tumors in(lymphoid tumors in differentdifferent organs ororgans or
in skin)in skin)
transient paralysistransient paralysis
 Differential diagnosisDifferential diagnosis::
Newcastle diseaseNewcastle disease
leucosisleucosis
tumorstumors

56. Parasites / ProtoParasites / Protozzoaoa
CoccidiosisCoccidiosis
 Eimeria tenellaEimeria tenella
Eimeria necatrixEimeria necatrix
Eimeria acervulinaEimeria acervulina
Eimeria truncataEimeria truncata
 Chicken, turkeyChicken, turkey
geesegeese
 Anticoccidial drugs /vaccinationAnticoccidial drugs /vaccination
 immunsuppressive diseases (Marek’s disease,immunsuppressive diseases (Marek’s disease,
CAV, Gumboro disease, Reo, mycotoxines…CAV, Gumboro disease, Reo, mycotoxines…))

57.  Haemorrhagic enteritidisHaemorrhagic enteritidis
(clotted blood - fibrinous inflammation)(clotted blood - fibrinous inflammation)
in caecumin caecum
in small intestinesin small intestines
 renal coccidiosis (enlarged, yellow-greyishrenal coccidiosis (enlarged, yellow-greyish
kidneys)kidneys)

59. Fungal infectionsFungal infections
AspergillosisAspergillosis
 Aspergillus fumigatusAspergillus fumigatus
Aspergillus flavusAspergillus flavus
PenicilliumPenicillium
MucorMucor
 RespiratoryRespiratory diseasedisease
pneumonia (granulompneumonia (granulomees)s)
air sacculitis, peritonitisair sacculitis, peritonitis
 Litter, feed (toxins)Litter, feed (toxins)
 (Antibiotics contraindicated!)(Antibiotics contraindicated!)

61. In these cases poultry meat is partialIn these cases poultry meat is partial
condemned for human consumptioncondemned for human consumption
(the effected areas are condemned:(the effected areas are condemned:
- parenchymal orgams- parenchymal orgams
- intestinesintestines
- skin + muscles /breast, legs/ )skin + muscles /breast, legs/ )