Hydropericardium-Hepatitis Syndrome, Angara Disease in broiler chicken

Hydropericardium-Hydropericardium-Hepatitis Syndrome, Hepatitis Syndrome, Angara Disease in Angara Disease in

broiler chickenbroiler chicken

Hydropericardium-Hydropericardium-Hepatitis Syndrome, Hepatitis Syndrome, Angara Disease in Angara Disease in

broiler chickenbroiler chicken

Dr.Kedar KarkiDr.Kedar Karki

Introduction

• This condition was first identified in broilers in Pakistan in 1987. It spread rapidly in broiler producing areas in that country and the same or a very similar condition has been seen in North and South America. It affects mainly broilers and broiler parents in rear and has also been seen in pigeons.

• It is a condition caused by an adenovirus, possibly in combination with an RNA virus and immunosuppression caused by Chick Anaemia Virus or Infectious Bursal Disease.

Introduction

• The disease is readily reproduced by inoculating birds with a bacteria-free filtrate of a liver extract from an affected bird. Mortality may reach 60% but more typically 10-30%.

Signs

• Sudden increase in mortality. • Lethargy. • Huddling with ruffled feathers. • Yellow mucoid droppings.

Post-mortem lesions

• Excessive straw-coloured fluid distending the pericardium (up to 10 mls).

• Enlarged, pale friable liver and kidney.

• Congestion of the carcase. • Lungs oedematous.

Hydropericardium in a chicken. Excessive fluid isseen in the pericardial sac. Liver is swollen.

Diagnosis

• Lesions, histopathology, virology.

Treatment

• None. Good water sanitation (e.g. treatment of drinking water with 0.1% of a 2.5% iodophor solution) appears to be beneficial.

Prevention

• The condition typically occurs in areas of high poultry density where multi-age operation is traditional. Control of predisposing immunosuppressive diseases may help limit losses. Formalin-inactivated oil adjuvant vaccines are reported to be highly effective and are used in areas where the condition is endemic.