Fowl Cholera Causes and Symptoms

Causes

• Fowl cholera is a highly infectious and often fatal disease caused by the bacterium Pasteurella multocida.
• The bacterium is commonly found in the environment and can be transmitted through:
  • Contaminated water and food
  • Direct contact with infected birds or carriers
  • Indirect contact with contaminated feces, soil, or equipment
• Stress, poor sanitation, and overcrowding can increase susceptibility to infection.

Symptoms

• Acute form:
  • Sudden death with no prior signs of illness
  • High mortality rate
• Subacute form:
  • Depression, lethargy, and anorexia
  • Ruffled feathers, pale comb, and wattle
  • Diarrhea, sometimes bloody
  • Labored breathing and coughing
  • Swelling of the eyes, face, and legs
• Chronic form:
  • Weight loss, emaciation
  • Chronic respiratory problems
  • Poor egg production

Treatment

• Antibiotics: effective against P. multocida, but must be administered early in the course of the disease
• Supportive care: fluids, oxygen therapy, and management of secondary infections
• Vaccination: available, but not always effective; often used in combination with antibiotics

Avian Bacteria

• Pasteurella multocida: a gram-negative, non-motile, facultative anaerobe
• Can survive for weeks outside the host, making environmental contamination a significant risk factor

Prevention

• Good sanitation and hygiene practices:
  • Clean and disinfect food and water containers, as well as equipment
  • Remove manure and debris regularly
  • Implement proper waste disposal
• Vaccination and antibiotic treatment: as part of a comprehensive flock health program
• Quarantine and testing: for newly introduced birds to prevent introduction of the disease
• Biosecurity measures: limit movement of people, vehicles, and equipment between farms or areas to reduce the risk of transmission

Causes of Fowl Cholera

• Fowl cholera is caused by the bacterium Pasteurella multocida, which is commonly found in the environment.
• The bacterium can be transmitted through:
  • Contaminated water and food
  • Direct contact with infected birds or carriers
  • Indirect contact with contaminated feces, soil, or equipment
• Stress, poor sanitation, and overcrowding can increase susceptibility to infection.

Symptoms of Fowl Cholera

• Acute form:
  • Sudden death with no prior signs of illness
  • High mortality rate
• Subacute form:
  • Depression, lethargy, and anorexia
  • Ruffled feathers, pale comb, and wattle
  • Diarrhea (sometimes bloody)
  • Labored breathing and coughing
  • Swelling of the eyes, face, and legs
• Chronic form:
  • Weight loss, emaciation
  • Chronic respiratory problems
  • Poor egg production

Treatment and Control of Fowl Cholera

• Antibiotics are effective against P. multocida, but must be administered early in the course of the disease.
• Supportive care includes:
  • Fluids
  • Oxygen therapy
  • Management of secondary infections
• Vaccination is available, but not always effective; often used in combination with antibiotics.

Characteristics of Pasteurella multocida

• Pasteurella multocida is a gram-negative, non-motile, facultative anaerobe.
• It can survive for weeks outside the host, making environmental contamination a significant risk factor.

Prevention of Fowl Cholera

• Good sanitation and hygiene practices:
  • Clean and disinfect food and water containers, as well as equipment
  • Remove manure and debris regularly
  • Implement proper waste disposal
• Vaccination and antibiotic treatment as part of a comprehensive flock health program.
• Quarantine and testing for newly introduced birds to prevent introduction of the disease.
• Biosecurity measures:
  • Limit movement of people, vehicles, and equipment between farms or areas to reduce the risk of transmission.