Fowl cholera, causes, transmissions and control

There are many names assigned to this disease, either of these name are well recognized globally. The names include avian cholera, avian pasteurellosis and avian hemorrhagic septicemia.  

You might come across any of these in one way or the other, they are still refer to the FOWL CHOLERA. 

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Fowl cholera is a very contagious disease that is caused by bacterium multocida, this agent affect various species of avian family such as chickens, turkeys, and water fowl, (increasing order of susceptibility). 

This disease affect poultry farm worldwide, it was one of the first infectious diseases to be recognized in 1880 by Louis Pasteur. 

Adult birds and old chickens are more susceptible. In parental flocks, cocks are far more susceptible than hens.  Domestic birds, including pets or birds at the zoo, and wild birds can be infected. 

Fowl cholera usually strikes birds older than six weeks of age. Besides chickens, the disease (fowl cholera) also concerns turkeys, ducks, geese, raptors, and canaries. 

Turkeys are particularly sensitive, with mortality ranging to 65%. Clinical findings vary greatly depending on the course of the disease. In acute cases, increased mortality is usually the first indication. 

Affected birds have swelling of the face or wattles, discharge from the nostrils, mouth and eyes which may become “cheesy”, labored breathing and, in some cases, lack of coordination. 

The face, combs and wattles may become cyanotic (turn a bluish color). Other symptoms include depression, loss of appetite, lameness, diarrhea and ruffled feathers. 

Now that you are familiar with what fowl cholera is all about, it time to dwell on the cause of this contagious disease.

Causes of fowl cholera

I am very sure, if you understand the introduction of this article, by now you clearly know the causes of this disease. 

In one language, it is caused by the bacterium Pasteurella multocida. The amazing thing about this is that, the bacterium is easily destroyed by environmental factors and disinfectants, but may persist for prolonged periods in soil. 

Reservoirs of infection may be present in other species such as rodents, cats, and possibly pigs. 

Transmission mode of fowl cholera

The next line of action is how thus it moves within the poultry farm and animals? The route of infection is oral or nasal with transmission via nasal exudates, faeces, contaminated soil, equipment, and people. 

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The incubation period is between 5 to 8 days, as you can see, it take the bacterium a very short period to start affecting the birds. 

Symptoms of fowl cholera

How would you identify the occurrence or outbreak of this disease in you farm, the common symptoms are:

In acute cases, a green diarrhea can be an early symptom. The most typical symptom, in chronic cases, is the swelling of the wattles. It is more frequent in resistant local breeds. 

Rather than a general infection, localized infections are more characteristic. These often occur in the respiratory tract including the sinuses and pneumatoics bones, hock joints, sternal bursa, foot pads, peritoneal cavity and oviducts. 

The most typical p.m. lesion is the petechiae observed in the epicardial fatty tissue. Necrotic foci on liver are usually found and general hyperemia is common. 

Due to the speed of infection and mortality, birds are in good body condition and do not exhibit the signs of prolonged illness.

Other symptoms of fowl cholera are high temperature, ocular and oral discharge, purple comb and wattle, possibly swollen wattle; ruffled feathers, loss of appetite, coughing; nasal, swollen joints, lameness, sudden death.

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Treatment of fowl cholera

No doubt about this, God has been good to mankind, no single problem He has not provide a solution to. I am assuring you that there is way to treat infected farm.

 So if you are noticing any symptom of this disease in your farm, here is what you can do to combat the issue.

Many drugs are available to treat fowl cholera, such as sulphonamides, streptomycin, tetracyclines, penicillin, erythromycin. The disease often recurs after medication is stopped, requiring long-term or periodic medication.

Improve sanitation, the bacterium is easily destroyed by environmental factors and disinfectants as I mentioned earlier, but may persist for prolonged periods in soil. Possible infection factors may be rodents, cats and possibly pigs.

Last but not the least way of preventing fowl cholera is through vaccination program.  Inactivated oil emulsion vaccine for chickens and turkeys to immunize against Pasteurella Multocida Infections (Fowl Cholera). 

Indication of the vaccine, K Vac FC3 has been developed for use in chickens and turkeys. A dose of bacterin contains a large amount of inactivated Pasteurella multocida. 

Two inoculations, given In the late growing period, produce high levels of immunity to protect the flock through the critical early period of production when fowl Cholera usually strikes.

Finally, as you read through this article you will not be afraid of fowl cholera again, I know this article has provide a best solution to the problem of fowl cholera. 

Fill free to drop your comment if you find it helpful to your farm, and as well share it with your colleague in this field.