Sharpman Resource Management and Logistics

FOWL POX
Today,our lessons will be on one of the poultry most threatening diseases "Fowl Pox"

What is Fowl Pox?

Fowlpox is a worldwide viral contagious disease of poultry caused by viruses of the family Poxviridae and the genus Avipoxvirus. The viruses causing fowlpox are distinct from one another but antigenically similar, possible hosts includes chickens, turkeys, quail, and other specie of birds.
Fowl pox disease are in two forms.
The first is spread by biting insects (mostly mosquitoes) and wound contamination and causes lesions on the comb, wattles, and beak. Birds affected by this form usually recover within a few weeks. The second form is spread by inhalation of the virus and causes a diphtheritic membrane to form in the mouth, pharynx, larynx, and sometimes the trachea. The prognosis for this form is poor.
Most birds survive the infections, although very young or weak birds may be lost.

WAYS OF TRANSMISSION

The virus is transmitted to birds mostly by biting insects, mostly mosquitoes.
The virus can also be transmitted to other chickens through an infected birds Scab secretions and blood (hot debris),skin dander,feather debris and sloughed off
scabs.

SYMPTOMS OF FOWL POX

Symptoms generally persist several weeks in a bird,and several months in a flock.

📍 Dry pox Symptoms: Initial stages of pox in a bird are Raised lesions or blisters on the comb,face and wattles. Blisters evolve into larger bumps,and finally dark colored,wart looking scabs.

📍 Wet pox Symptoms: leisons inside the mouth and throat,and this could be life threatening.
Other symptoms includes;

📍 Drop in egg production,in laying birds
📍Loss of appetite
📍Loss in weight etc.

TREATMENT
There is no permanent cure for fowl pox,but preventative measures can be taken to avoid secondary Bacteria,and further spread of the virus.

📍 Uninfected flock should be vaccinated against fowl pox
📍 Treat Scabs with an iodine solution
📍 Apply ointment to soften scabs,use until scabs heals
📍Clean the pen with a sanitizer and detergents before restocking
📍 Addition of polidine or any other iodine solution into the water till disease subsides is good
📍 Give Pox off,pox care or pox treat
📍 Practice a good biosecurity management.






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