B.W.D. DISEASE

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 96, 20 October 1933, Page 14

B.W.D. DISEASE

ELIMINATION OF CARRIERS

Only a little interest has been shown in the disease of bacillary white diarrhoea, which fortunately has not invaded our suiiny country to any great extent. Now and again one hears of a poultryman saying that he has lost a batch of chicks from 8.W.D., but usually no actual proof is submitted to decide that it. was this disease and not some other cause that took toll of tho chicks. Briefly explained, the- germ is carried by adult stock, and passed on to the offspring througli infection of tho egg. Once infected a' flock of chicks will die off very quickly. The symptoms usually noticed •as being present in the first two weeks are lack of appetite, sluggishness, and drooping of the wings. Diarrhoea may or may not be present. In adults, • although infected, no visiblo symptoms can be- detected. The fact that this disease is caused by a "germ" which will spread through the hen's egg shows how easily infection can. pass from farm to farm. Those who conduct post mortonis on their dead birds may be familiar with i a diseased ovary. The growing egg yolks are misshapen and usually pale in colour. Usually such a condition indicates ' that B.\v;d. ' infection is present. .In order to. arrest, the spread of this disease all carriers' must be. rejected from the breeding pens, and in some countries breeders advertise tho fact that ail their breeding stock have been blood-tested and found free from infection. The test is an agglutination one which should be.made only by i someone with sufficient knowledge of the disease. Either some blood is sent ; to a' laboratory,! or a field: test; with' a blood ■ smear is taken. As so little : trouble has resulted in New Zealand'to date, there is little cause for worry at i this stage; but poultrymcn should .be < familiar with this disease, and, should 1 • it appear, immediate'and drastic steps 1 should be taken to prevent its spread. < It is also known as Pullorum disease, i