Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV)

1. DESCRIPTION:

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is an acute, highly contagious upper respiratory tract disease in poultry, especially layer. In addition to respiratory signs, decreased egg production and egg quality are common. IBV is caused by different antigenic types of the avian coronavirus which make the disease do not cross-protect, complicating control efforts. The virus lasts up to one year in manure and bedding. The virus is inactivate after 15 minutes at 560^oC and after 90 minutes at 450^oC, the virus is sensitive to most disinfectants.

 2. ETIOLOGY:

The incubation period is relatively short, generally 18 – 36 hours, with the peak in excretion of virus from the respiratory tract lasting 3–5 days after infection. IBV is shed by infected chickens in respiratory discharges and feces, and it can be spread by aerosol, ingestion of contaminated feed and water, and contact with contaminated equipment and clothing. Once entering and settling in, IBV will multiply rapidly in the upper respiratory tract, causing lesions such as proliferation, minor stretch mark also begin to appear. After a short time without treatment, the infection will spread to liver, kidney, and reproductive tract. In addition, co-infection with Mycoplasma gallisepticum, M synoviae, Escherichia coli, and/or Avibacterium paragallinarum can exacerbate disease.

3. CLINICAL SIGNS:

Morbidity for flocks affected by infectious bronchitis is typically 100%. Chicks may cough, sneeze, and have tracheal rales for 10–14 days. Conjunctivitis and dyspnea may be seen, and sometimes facial swelling, particularly with concurrent bacterial infection of the sinuses. Chicks may appear depressed and huddle under heat lamps. Feed consumption and weight gain are reduced. Infection with nephropathogenic strains can cause initial respiratory signs, then later depression, ruffled feathers, wet droppings, greater water intake, and death.

In layers, egg production may drop by as much as 30 – 40% and fell sharply to 60 – 70% should the infection is prolonged. Eggs are often misshapen, with thin, soft, wrinkled, rough, and/or pale shells and have watery albumen.

4. PREVENTION:

• Regularly disinfect barns, breeding tools. It is recommended to use calcium hydroxide (slaked lime) to sparkle over the coop to keep it clean and dry.
• During weather changes or cages change, tentative attention is required to make sure the flock does not stress.
• Vaccine is the most effective method, please select vaccines from reputable firms and strictly follow the recommend administration and dosage.

Note: It is recommened to use feed supplement to increase the flocks’ natural resistance in order to react better to vaccination.

5. TREATMENT:

• For layers, do not apply treatment, it is recommended to remove from the flock.
• For broilers, double the vaccine dosage on the first day of treatment, then revert to recommended dosage.

Our research teams recommended 3 steps to deal with IBV effectively:

Step 1: Use veterinary medicine to enhance the infected natural resistance, especially SANFO.LIQID which acts as a detoxification and anti-virus infection.

Step 2: Use analgesic and antipyretic such as PARAMAX C which immediately bring down the fever in case of infectious viral fever in poultry.

Step 3: Use antibiotics against super infection:

SANFO.GENTADOX: administration in drinking water, 1 kg / 5 tons b.w / day.

SANFO.COLI 500: mix with feed, 1 kg / 10 tons b.w / day.

SANFO.TYLOSIN: mix with feed, 1 kg / 10 tons b/w / day.

Treatment period should last for 5 – 7 days consecutively. The dosage is calculated by the total weight of the flock, divide the concentration into twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. On the remaining time during the day, the flock should take the supplements as recommended above.