Estimate of economic impact of fowl cholera in turkeys in Georgia in 1986

Information gathered from cases of fowl cholera (FC) in commercial turkey flocks through case records, flock records, and telephone and mail surveys was used to estimate disease costs. The cost to the Georgia commercial turkey industry in 1986 from preventive measures, treatment of outbreaks, and production losses from the disease was estimated at $634,545. The cost of FC per kg of live production was estimated to be $0.015.     

Relationship of increased fowl cholera outbreaks in turkeys with high environmental temperatures.

The relationship of an increase in fowl cholera outbreaks in turkeys with an increase in environmental temperatures during June, July, August, and September between 1959 and 1992 was analyzed. High environmental temperatures were found to be influential in the development of fowl cholera in turkeys. When the average monthly maximum environmental temperatures for 5 mo of July and 7 mo of August during the 13 yr between 1967 and 1979 were above 30.5 C, there was a significantly (P < 0.05) higher number of fowl cholera outbreaks in turkeys for each month than during the same months when the average maximum temperatures were below 30.5 C. To test the hypothesis that an increase in fowl cholera outbreaks was preceded by an increase in temperature, the pre- and postoutbreak temperatures for 46 selected outbreak clusters occurring between 1959 and 1992 were averaged. Both the average maximum and minimum temperatures for the latter 9 days of the preoutbreak period were highly significantly (P < 0.001) higher than those of the average cluster outbreak day and the following four postoutbreak days. Also, for the nine individual days of the latter pre-outbreak period, the daily average maximum temperature was significantly (P < 0.05) higher for 3 days and partially significantly (P < 0.10) higher for 3 days than that of the average cluster outbreak day, and the daily average minimum temperature was significantly (P < 0.05) higher for 2 days and partially significantly (P < 0.10) higher for 1 day than that for the average cluster outbreak day.     

A descriptive study of fowl cholera in California meat turkeys: August 1985-July 1986

One hundred sixty meat-turkey premises in California were monitored for outbreaks of fowl cholera from August 1985 through July 1986. Nearly 27 million turkeys in 720 flocks were at risk during the year. Fifty-three flocks of approximately 3 million turkeys on 34 different premises experienced confirmed fowl cholera outbreaks. The epidemic curve for the year indicated that the majority of outbreaks occurred in the late summer and fall, particularly in October. The incidence of outbreaks during this time was not significantly associated with seasonal variation in the size of the turkey population. The mean flock age at outbreak was 10.8 weeks, with a range of 5-18 weeks.     

Case control study of fowl cholera in meat turkeys in California from August 1985 through July 1986 [corrected

From Aug 1985 through July 1986, 720 meat turkey flocks on 160 California premises were monitored and outbreaks of fowl cholera (Pasteurella multocida) were investigated. Data from 43 outbreak (case) flocks were compared with data from 43 nonoutbreak (control) flocks. Outbreak flocks, compared with control flocks, were more likely to be located on premises with higher maximal bird capacity and history of fowl cholera outbreaks. The overall impression was that flocks in larger, newer, more intensively managed premises were at greater risk of fowl cholera outbreaks than were other flocks.     

Possible genetic variation in resistance of turkeys to erysipelas and fowl cholera

Natural disease outbreaks of erysipelas and fowl cholera occurred in several lines of turkeys maintained for genetic studies. There were line differences in mortality during both outbreaks, suggesting that there is genetic variation in resistance to these diseases. A line developed by selection for increased egg production had a higher mortality rate from fowl cholera than did the randombred control line from which it was developed. Both the egg line and its control line had a lower mortality rate in the erysipelas outbreak than did a line selected for increased growth rate. Both diseases induced high mortality in a line selected for increased growth.     

Epidemiology and financial impact of fowl cholera in turkeys: a retrospective analysis

A retrospective study of the epidemiology and financial impact of fowl cholera (FC) in California meat turkeys during 1984 was performed. Data were collected from 64 flocks--23 FC-outbreak flocks and 41 controls (non-outbreak)--raised in the Central Valley of the state. Mean flock age at the time of the FC outbreak was 11.3 weeks. Flocks that reported a colibacillosis outbreak had increased odds (P = 0.11) of also having an FC outbreak. (This association may or may not indicate a cause-effect relationship.) There was no significant difference between FC-outbreak and control flocks in number of diseases reported, age at onset, or duration of diseases or syndromes except age at onset of roundheart disease. The relative mortality rates were 52% higher in FC-outbreak toms and 26% higher in FC-outbreak hens than in their controls. Medication costs were nearly tripled, and the relative condemnation rate was 60% higher in FC-outbreak flocks than in control flocks. The average costs of FC were nearly $0.40 per bird, or $18,750 per flock, in an outbreak flock of 50,000 birds, and $0.12 per bird, or $6000 per flock, in non-outbreak flocks vaccinated against FC.     

Characterisation of Pasteurella multocida isolated from fowl cholera outbreaks on turkey farms

SUMMARY: Biochemical profiles, restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) and ribotyping were used to investigate Pasteurella multocida isolates from outbreaks of fowl cholera on 7 turkey farms in New South Wales. While only a single isolate was available from 5 of the farms, multiple isolates, 4 and 12 respectively, were available from the other 2 farms. The available field evidence suggested that 8 outbreaks had occurred with one farm suffering 2 outbreaks. The isolates obtained were all confirmed as Pasteurella multocida . Biochemical profiles allocated the isolates to 4 groups, 3 being variants of P multocida subsp multocida and the fourth being P multocida subsp septica . REA performed with Hpall established 7 groups. Ribotyping using the Hpall digests probed with the 16S rRNA operon of Haemophilus paragallinarum recognised the same 7 groups as REA. Unlike the biochemical profiles, both REA and ribotyping provided a fine subdivision that identified outbreaks as either related or unrelated. The REA and ribotyping patterns as well as biochemical profiles were stable for all isolates from the outbreaks in which multiple isolates were obtained from either the same bird or from different birds. REA and ribotyping were found to be superior to biotyping methods for the investigation of fowl cholera outbreaks.     

Soluble fractions of Pasteurella multocida: their protective qualities against fowl cholera in turkeys

Soluble fractions of Pasteurella multocida strain P1059 were extracted from a single source by four methods, and their immunogenicity was evaluated by challenge exposure in turkeys. The fractions were extracted by 1) heating in 2.5% NaCl, 2) 0.5M potassium thiocyanate, 3) 1.0M sodium salicylate, and 4) prolonged stirring in formalin solution followed by pelleting (LPS-protein antigen). Eighty percent to 90% of infected turkeys were protected in two trials by vaccination with the saline extract or LPS-protein antigen, whereas less consistent protection was associated with the other two preparations. Endotoxin content was the highest in LPS-protein antigen, followed by KSCN, Na salicylate, and saline extract in that order. The four fractions contained at least one common antigen, which had previously been shown to be a surface-protective antigen.     

Molecular epidemiology of two fowl cholera outbreaks on a free-range chicken layer farm.

Two outbreaks of fowl cholera on a multiage free-range egg farm were investigated. The outbreaks occurred in 1994 and 2002. A total of 22 strains of Pasteurella multocida were available for study, 11 from the 1994 outbreak and 11 from the 2002 outbreak. Lesions typical of acute fowl cholera were seen in the 1994 outbreak, whereas both acute and chronic fowl cholera occurred in the 2002 outbreak. The isolates were examined in an extended phenotypic typing methodology, by a P. multocida-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR), by the Heddleston somatic serotyping scheme, and by restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) typing using the enzyme HpaII. All 22 strains had the same phenotypic properties, all were confirmed as P. multocida by PCR, all were Heddleston serovar 4, and all had the same REA pattern. The results indicate that these 2 outbreaks were caused by the same clone of P. multocida--despite the 8-year time period between the outbreaks.     

Attenutated live fowl cholera vaccine. III. Laboratory and field vaccination trials in turkeys and chickens

Administered via the drinking water, M-3-G, an attenuated strain of Pasteurella multocida of serotype 1, was found to immunize turkeys and chickens against fowl cholera. Immunity was tested by challenging birds intramuscularly, by palatine cleft swab, or orally after 3 vaccinations. No reactions to vaccination were noted in 390 turkeys in 12 laboratory trials, nor in 20,245 vaccinated in field trials. Chickens showed no vaccination reactions, and immunity was elicited by challenge in a laboratory trial and in face of natural outbreaks in the field, where 11,600 chickens were vaccinated. No vaccination reactions were noted, although most birds involved in the trials were carrying Mycoplasma spp. Immunity was found to last about 10 weeks after the last vaccination. The immunizing properties of M-3-G are compared with the CU strain.