🔺Unforgettable facts about Marek disease in poultry
Marek’s disease is a highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects chickens, especially those raised for meat and egg production. Here are some unforgettable facts about Marek’s disease in poultry:
1. **Caused by a Herpesvirus**: Marek’s disease is caused by the Marek’s disease virus (MDV), which belongs to the herpesvirus family.
Read also: 9 critical points on fowl pox in poultry
2. **Tumor Formation**: One of the most distinctive and unforgettable aspects of Marek’s disease is its ability to cause tumors in various tissues, including nerves, muscle, and internal organs.
3. **Airborne Transmission**: The virus is primarily transmitted through the air via feather follicle dander and respiratory secretions, making it highly contagious among poultry flocks.
Learn More4. **Vaccination is Essential**: Vaccination is the primary method for preventing Marek’s disease in poultry. Chicks are typically vaccinated shortly after hatching to provide immunity.
5. **Paralysis and Nervous Symptoms**: Infected chickens can display symptoms such as paralysis, muscle wasting, and abnormal walking due to the virus’s impact on the nervous system.
6. **Young Birds at Higher Risk**: Young birds, especially those between 3 and 16 weeks of age, are most susceptible to the disease.
7. **No Cure**: There is no cure for Marek’s disease once a bird is infected. Management strategies focus on preventing the disease’s spread and minimizing its impact on affected flocks.
8. **Economic Impact**: Marek’s disease can have a significant economic impact on the poultry industry due to increased mortality rates and decreased egg production in affected flocks.
9. **Genetic Resistance**: Some poultry breeds and strains exhibit varying levels of genetic resistance to Marek’s disease, making selective breeding an important tool in its control.
Read also: 10 common poultry disease and the solutions
10. **Global Concern**: Marek’s disease is a global concern, and its management and prevention strategies are vital for poultry farmers worldwide.
Remember that preventing the spread of Marek’s disease through vaccination and biosecurity measures is crucial for maintaining healthy poultry flocks.
🧩CREATED BY DR JOSEPH DEJI-FOLUTILE
For more information and updates join our WhatsApp group HERE
Like our page on Facebook HERE
Join our Telegram group HERE
-Advertisement-
We do everything possible to supply quality information for farmers day in, day out and we are committed to keep doing this.
Your kind donation will help our continuous research efforts.
