At Livetec, we are committed to supporting poultry producers in safeguarding their flocks against a wide range of diseases, one such disease, Inclusion Body Hepatitis (IBH), is a virus that is rapidly spreading and causing significant challenges to the UK broiler industry. Of great concern is that new and more aggressive strains of this virus are causing disease outbreaks where previously, natural immunity levels provided by the parent stock were sufficient. Our industry-leading biosecurity solutions and disease prevention strategies, will help farms mitigate disease risks, enhance flock health, and ensure business resilience in the face of challenges like .
Inclusion Body Hepatitis: Causes, Impact, and Prevention in Poultry
Inclusion Body Hepatitis (IBH) is an acute viral disease affecting broiler chickens. It was first identified in 1963 in the USA. It is a global concern and has also been found in turkeys and pheasants.
Cause
IBH is caused by fowl adenoviruses. It affects young chickens and can cause acute mortality.
This disease can be a formidable challenge because transmission can occur both vertically (from hen to egg) and horizontally (through contact with contaminated birds, their bodily fluids or waste). Industry experts think that horizontal transmission is most common.
Symptoms
The onset of the disease can be rapid. Birds will be lethargic, off their feed, and mortality can increase significantly. Individual birds often show non-specific signs such as:
- ruffled feathers
- yellowish diarrhoea
The disease typically runs its course in 9 to 15 days.
Diagnosis
A sudden, dramatic increase in mortality in young broilers is a key indicator. Post-mortem signs include a swollen, mottled liver with pinpoint lesions, pale bone marrow, and pale kidneys. Diagnosis can be confirmed via histopathology or Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing.
Treatment and Prevention
No specific treatment exists for current strains of IBH. In the first instance management must focus on the implementation of rigorous biosecurity and hygiene measures to keep the disease out of their businesses.
- Implementing strict biosecurity protocols will help prevent virus introduction to the farm and any further spread within flocks on site or elsewhere.
- Regular health monitoring and catching any signs of disease early can also make a big difference if the disease gets in.
How Livetec Can Help
As a leader in livestock protection, Livetec Systems can help growers to evaluate their current biosecurity measures and give them practical advice on how they can significantly improve their systems to combat diseases like IBH.
Our offerings include:
- Biosecurity Advisory Services: Providing bespoke expert advice on biosecurity measures to keep diseases out of farms and manage disease challenges on farms where biosecurity has been compromised previously, helping to enhance the overall health and productivity of the unit.
- Biosecurity Planning: Developing tailored, documented biosecurity plans to demonstrate that the business is minimising disease risks within your operations.
- Emergency Response: Assisting in developing contingency plans to ensure rapid and effective responses to actual disease outbreaks thereby minimising the impact on your business.
Partnering with Livetec ensures access to industry-leading expertise and solutions, safeguarding your poultry flocks against IBH and other health challenges.
