Question

Gumboro disease in poultry is caused by
A) Bacteria
B) Virus
C) Fungi
D) Eimeria

Answer 1

Hint: Sometimes the clinical disorder arises quite abruptly with a rapid mortality rate rise. Medical signs may include shaking, feathers ruffled, weak appetite, dehydration, huddling, pecking in the vent, and depression.

Complete Answer:
- Infectious bursal disease (IBD), also known as Gumboro disease, Infectious bursitis and infectious avian nephrosis is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by the infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) of young chickens and turkeys, characterised by immunosuppression and mortality usually at 3 to 6 weeks of age.
- The illness was first discovered in 1962 at Gumboro, Delaware. Because of increased vulnerability to other diseases and negative interference with successful vaccination it is economically relevant for the poultry industry worldwide.
- In recent years, in Europe, Latin America, South-East Asia, Africa and the Middle East, very virulent strains of IBDV (vvIBDV) have appeared, causing extreme chicken mortality.
- Infection occurs through the oro-faecal path, with the bird infected excreting high virus levels for about 2 weeks after infection. The disease is easily transmitted through food, water, and physical contact, from infected chickens to healthy chickens.

- This disease is associated with the age of birds with the highest bursal mass, which is between the ages of 3 and 6 weeks.
- A large population of maturing IgM-bearing B-lymphocytes (lymphoblasts), the main focus of infection, is mainly the product of the greatest bursal mass.
- Young birds from two to eight weeks of age are more vulnerable to disease and have highly active Fabricius bursa.

Note: Typically, a tentative diagnosis may be made based on flock history, clinical symptoms, and post mortem (necropsy) exams. However, conclusive diagnosis can be accomplished only by precise IBDV identification and/or isolation and characterisation.