Recurring Outbreaks of Fowl Pox in a Poultry Farm in Nsukka, Southeast Nigeria

Abstract

This paper reports on recurring outbreaks of fowl pox in a particular pen present in a poultry farm located at Nsukka, Southeast Nigeria. The outbreaks were seen in one batch of white cockerel and two batches of brown layers. Reduced egg production, weight loss, nodular lesions on the combs, wattles and eyelids, and diphtheritic lesions in the mucous membranes of the oral cavity characterized the disease. At post mortem, a characteristic whitish cheesy material conforming to the shape of the cornea was common in the severe outbreak in layers, but absent in the cockerels and the mild outbreak in layers. No bacteria were isolated from the matrix of the cheesy material while Staphylococcusaureus and Escherichia coli were isolated from the surface of the cheesy material and the ocular swab. The report also showed the importance of vaccination in control of the disease. There was enteritis and soiled vents in the cases examined. Biosecurity measures combined with vaccinations were indispensible for the control of the disease in Nigeria.