A Review on Infectious Bursal Disease - Major Concern in Poultry

Abstract

Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is caused by a virus that is a member of the genus AviBirnavirus of the family Birnaviridae. Although turkeys, ducks, guinea fowl and ostriches may be infected, clinical disease occurs solely in chickens. Only young birds are clinically affected. Severe acute disease of 3-6-week-old birds is associated with high mortality, but a less acute or subclinical disease is common in 0-3-week-old birds. This can cause secondary problems due to the effect of the virus on the bursa of fabricius.