FOWL POX

Fowl pox is a viral disease which is spread and transmitted mechanically by biting insects such as mosquitos and flies. There are several strains of the virus affecting fowl. Chickens, turkeys, and many species of avian are particularly susceptible to the fowl pox virus while pigeons are afflicted from pigeon pox virus. Depending on the location and how the pox presents itself, pox is referred to as either skin pox or 'wet' pox.

The virus can be transmitted from one bird to the next directly, through pecking or other physical contact. It can however, also be carried indirectly by a variety of means, equipment contaminated from an infected flock, sloughed scabs, contaminated bedding, or people. Often times in treating the lesions caused by pox we see the advancement of spread, due to improper handling of infected fowl. Clothing and hands are contaminated with virus-containing scabs shed from the lesions of an infected bird. Indirect transmission can also occur via inhalation of pox virus infected dander, feather debris and air-borne particles. Mosquitos and other biting insects are responsible for transmission within local areas; while wild birds can introduce the virus to a flock by visitations to open feeders, water sources and unsecured pens.. The pox virus is highly resistant to drying and may survive months in a coop or poultry facility. While good sanitation and husbandry practices will not eliminate the virus they can aid in prevention to lessoning the severity of the spread of the disease.

Preventive medicine includes any procedure that will prevent disease or decreases the number infected and lessen the severity. Vaccination is one of the more effective ways to prevent specific diseases. Vaccinating poultry, so fowl are able to develop antibodies to protect them from severe disease outbreaks. The introduction of this small amount of virus, from a modified live virus vaccine, triggers the immune system to produce either antibodies or certain cell types to attack the virus. The immune system has the capability to recognize that specific virus, so upon exposure, more antibodies or cells will be produced to attack the virus. Developing an immune response. Yet there is a specific time frame for the immune system to develop antibodies after introducing the virus via a vaccine. Chicks due to their immature immune system, will need to be vaccinated again as young pullets or cockerels they will not have acquired immunity. This is a key point in using a vaccine as prevention when the virus is present. If early enough detection and timing is adequate, allowing for the immune system to trigger an immune response, vaccinating healthy fowl showing no symptoms of the present virus may slow or halt the further spread. Fowl showing the symptoms or those having been exposed and are incubating the virus must never be vaccinated. In doing so the severity of the infection to the particular fowl can be devastating. The incubation period is between 1 and 2 weeks and is characterized by fever, listlessness, and reduced to a dramatic drop in egg production. Of course the optimum situation is to vaccinate before the virus presents itself. Vaccination programs should be established based upon flock history and many times geographical locations. Pox many times is more prevalent in temperate climates, warm, moist and wet, which enables a higher insect population and is usually observed in relation to seasonal mosquito cycles. It is also not uncommon to find pox outbreaks isolated to specific areas.

Upon the realization of an outbreak isolate infected fowl. Removing them from the flock will enable control and prevention. Controlling the means by which pox is spread can lessen the severity and numbers that may become infected. Keeping them confined to a well ventilated, dry and clean environment will also promote healing. Be aware of handling infected fowl, either wear disposable gloves which can be discarded before handling healthy fowl, or wash and disinfect hands.

Provide adequate nutrition to compensate for decreased appetites. Be aware fowl may suffer weight loss.

Sanitation is an important factor for any disease, properly disposing all material that could be an indirect contact to the infection. This would include debris from routine cleaning. Feeders, waterers, perches, cages and pens should be decontaminated with a 10% bleach solution. Though sanitation will not eliminate the virus it will reduce the means of spread.

The infection , dry pox, leads to the formation of wart-like nodules on the non-feathered parts of the head and legs. Cases can be mild, hardly noticable to severe. A severe case can manifest itself by nodules developing on eyelids causeing an eye infection, due to the fowl not being able to open the eye to an entire comb swollen and encrusted with the result of points of the protuberence being lost. Often times the first physical signs may be misinterpeted as the result of pecking, but upon closer examination you may find what resembles a small pimple to others having the same manifestations. Fleshy pale lumps form yellow pimples which may enlarge and run together forming masses of yellow crusts. In about a week to 10 days these scabs will darken and fall off. If not allowed to naturally heal, removal of the scabs manually can lead to severe scaring to a secondary infection by allowing entrance of infectous bacteria. To promote healing, the use of iodine to swab pox blisters is only reccomended.

Wet pox or canker form shows up in the mouth, nose and throat as cheesy masses, which interfere with eating and breathing. A saline wash may be needed to help promote healing in and around eyes, to swabing the throat with iodine swabs. Soft food may be more palatble during infection. Numbing throat sprays may be helpful and enable a fowl to eat and swallow. Be aware of depression and weight loss in those suffering from wet pox.

Vaccinating involves puncturing the wing web with a pronged instrument, similar in appearance to a sewing machine needle. In vaccinating a mixed flock of standards and bantams all standards should be vaccinated first with both prongs, this allows for the bantams to be vaccinated by removing one of the prongs. The applicator is dipped in vaccine and thrust through the wing web. The vaccine runs down the slotted prong and into the wound. Turkeys are vaccinated by a thigh-stick method. A’ take' appears as a small dry scab at the point of the puncture. A "take" should be visible in about a week.

The following are specific and important guidelines for handling a modified live virus vaccine and proper administration of the vaccine.

Keep all vaccines refrigerated prior to use.

Protect vaccines from heat and direct sunlight during administration.

Read manufacturers directions pertaining to mixing, administration, storage and disposal.

Once the vaccine has been reconstituted, it must be used immediately. Any unused vaccine must be destroyed. You cannot save unused vaccines for future vaccinations.

Familiarize yourself with the fowl’s anatomy enabling you to accurately administer a wing web vaccine.  You may need to pluck a few feathers from the area to ensure a take.

Be sure each birds gets it proper dose. Two prongs for Standards, one prong for Bantams.

Do not shake prong when administering, dip and puncture, allowing vaccine to run down prong.

Most vaccines are modified live virus able to produce the disease, so handle with care. Avoid spills or accidental contamination.

After vaccinating, burn or disinfect all opened containers to prevent accidental spread to other poultry.

If possible, vaccinate when environmental temperatures are mild. Temperature extremes are stressful and reactions to stress may interfere with an optimum immune response.

Do not vaccinate sick birds, or fowl suffering from other viruses or parasites.

Keep a record of all fowl vaccinated

 Chicken Chronicles

 2003