Diseases of Concern: Avian Influenza and Marek’s Disease
Avian influenza and Marek’s Disease are two diseases poultry farmers should be on the lookout for, to protect their flock and respond appropriately to outbreaks.
Avian Influenza may be more often associated with large poultry operations, but in reality this deadly disease doesn’t discriminate between large or small farms. In 2022 alone, H5N1 infected almost 200 flocks and more than 3.6 million birds across Canada, including dozens of small farms.
Marek’s Disease, on the other hand, is caused by the herpes virus and is one of the most common illnesses in small flocks. This disease has four different strains and can affect poultry’s nervous system, leading to leg paralysis, droopy wings and sometimes death.
As with any virus, good biosecurity habits are a must in keeping it off your farm, but farmers should also be aware of the symptoms of the virus and contact a veterinarian immediately to confirm diagnosis if influenza is suspected.
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