See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/272399591

Incidence of poultry diseases in different seasons in District Khushab, Pakistan

Article · June 2015

DOI: 10.5455/javar.2015.b65

CITATIONS READS
12 828

6 authors, including:

Sohail Hassan Khan

POULTRY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
77 PUBLICATIONS   591 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

COMPARATIVE EVALUATON OF SOME MEDICINAL PLANTS AS GROWTH PROMOTERS FOR BROILER CHICKS View project

Review article View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Sohail Hassan Khan on 23 April 2015.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 2(2): 141-145.
OPEN ACCESS Available at- http://bdvets.org/JAVAR

ORIGINAL ARTICLE Volume 2 Issue 2 (June 2015)

DOI: 10.5455/javar.2015.b65

Incidence of poultry diseases in different seasons in Khushab district,

Pakistan
Ghulam Abbas, Sohail Hassan Khan*, Mehdi Hassan, Sajid Mahmood, Salma Naz and Syeda Surriya
Gilani
Poultry Research Institute, Murree Road, Shamsabad, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
*Corresponding author’s e-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT ARTICLE HISTORY

Received : 11 November 2014, Revised: 4 January 2015,
A field study was conducted to determine the Accepted : 7 January 2015, Published online: 18 January 2015.
prevalence of various poultry diseases in broilers and
layers at Khushab district in Pakistan. The prevalence
study was conducted in 360 poultry farms. Diagnosis INTRODUCTION
of diseases in poultry was done based on history,
clinical signs, post-mortem examination, cultural, and Poultry sector of Pakistan is distinguished by farm
biochemical characterization. Overall, incidence of sizes ranging from the farms having <1,000 to ≥10,000
Newcastle disease (ND) was found as the highest birds (Yunus et al., 2008). Generally, the average flock
(avg. 7.85%) in broiler, followed by Fowl typhoid strength is approximately 2,000 to 3,000 for both
(avg. 6.58%), Mycoplasma (avg. 5.68%), Escherichia broilers and layers: one can call this as rural farming.
coli infection (avg. 5.52%), Coccidiosis (avg. 4.59%), These farms are characterized by household labor and
Mycotoxicosis (avg. 4.56%), Infectious Bursal Disease usually lack modern facilities.
(IBD; avg. 2.84%), Infectious coryza (avg. 2.50%),
Hydropericardium syndrome (HPS; avg. 1.67%), and In Pakistan, poultry enterprise has developed rapidly
Infectious bronchitis (IB; avg. 1.59%). The period in recent years. However, various infectious diseases
during April to June appeared to be comparatively posed a serious threat for the survival of poultry
safer for the broilers as low incidence of disease was farming especially at small scale level, and the diseases
recorded at this period. In case of layers, incidence of inflicted heavy economic losses to the country (Mustafa
ND was the highest (avg. 7.92%), followed by Fowl and Ali, 2005). The major poultry disease include
typhoid (avg. 6.97%), Mycotoxicosis (avg. 5.52%), Newcastle disease (ND), Escherichia coli infection,
Coccidiosis (avg. 4.75%), IBD (avg. 3.17%), Infectious coryza, Infectious bronchitis (IB),
Mycoplasmosis (avg. 3.0%), Infectious coryza (avg. Coccidiosis, Enteritis, Fowl pox, Salmonellosis,
2.52%), Fowl cholera (avg. 1.52%), IB (avg. 0.90k%), E. Hydropericardium syndrome (HPS), and Avian
coli infection (avg. 0.73%), and HPS (avg. 0.46%). For Influenza (AI) (Javed et al., 1994; Khan et al., 2000; Bano
layers, the period during January to March appeared et al., 2003; Ahmad et al., 2008). A field survey done in
to be safer. In conclusion, diversified diseases are 2005 revealed the status of the diseases prevalent in
prevalent in both layers and broilers. Thus, proper local and Fayoumi breeds of rural poultry in
vaccination practices, brooding arrangements, Sheikhupura district (Mustafa and Ali, 2005). The
preventive measures, and biosecurity practices are disease prevalence was found higher (57%) in Fayoumi
recommended.
as compared to Desi breeds (43%). The overall
prevalence of various diseases was recorded as 40.33%
ND, 5% E. coli, 2.66% IB, 7% Chronic respiratory
Keywords
disease (CRD), 8.33% Infectious coryza, 6.33%
Bacterial infections, Newcastle disease, Poultry
Salmonellosis, 15.66% Fowl pox, 4% HPS, and 10.66%
diseases, Viral infections
Coccidiosis. Another study done in 2008 revealed that a

eISSN 2311-7710 Abbas et al./ J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 2(2): 141-145, June 2015 141
 Figure 1: Map of Pakistan showing the study area (Khushab district).

number of infectious agents like NDV, AI along with E. MATERIALS AND METHODS
coli and Salmonella, were responsible for the recent
respiratory outbreaks in layer flocks around The current study was based on the postmortem and
Sammundri Area (Khawaja et al., 2005). The diseases laboratory diagnosis of poultry disease during June
prevalent in rural poultry mostly occurred due to poor 2007 to May 2008 in the Livestock Department (Poultry
vaccination, poor feed, housing, and through wild and Wing) of Khushab district. The data were collected
migratory birds (Khawaja et al., 2005). The widespread from 360 poultry farms during four quarters of the year
presence of contagious as well as infectious diseases using objective oriented questionnaire. The diagnosis
indicated poor vaccination practices, poor management depended mainly upon history, clinical signs, and
on farm, and non-adherence to biosecurity measures. postmortem examination in the district laboratories.
The bacterial and viral diseases were differentiated in
Season, an enormously important environmental the laboratory at Disease Laboratory, Poultry Research
factor, might have deep effects on occurrence of Institute, Rawalpindi, by examining the growth on
diseases in poultry. Previous surveys in this regard McConkey agar by incubating the suspected materials
have reported prevalence of poultry diseases and their at 37°C for 24-28 h. The growth obtained was identified
relationship with age and weather (Yunus et al., 2009). by various biochemical and sugar fermentation tests
However, interactions of various diseases during following methods described by Harrigan (1998). Bio-
different seasons have not been studied in Pakistan, security status index was measured on aspects of
particularly in low poultry populated area like management practices. The results were then analyzed
Khushab district. Khushab district has 7.4 million statistically by using simple score test (Nam, 1995).
broilers, 0.20 million layers, 0.08 million breeders, and
0.28 million rural poultry (Statistical Report, 2011-12).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The district has three distinct areas: barani, plain, and
mountainous. All these three areas have different Data regarding incidence of different diseases in
climatic temperature especially in mountainous area broilers are presented in Table 1. Overall, the incidence
which is more suitable for poultry production. The of ND was found as the highest in broiler, which was
present study was conducted to investigate the followed by Fowl typhoid, Mycoplasmosis, E. coli
incidence of different diseases in different seasons, infection, Coccidiosis, Mycotoxicosis, Infectious Bursal
which will provide baseline data for effective Disease (IBD), Infectious coryza, , HPS, and IB. These
prevention, and control of infectious diseases in rural findings are in support of a previous survey conducted
poultry. by Yunus et al. (2008). However , a lower incidence was

Abbas et al./ J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 2(2): 141-145, June 2015 142
noted at Chakwal district; this might be due to the Another study conducted by Ahmad (1998) showed
difference in location or improved vaccination practices 35.8% prevalence of MG infection was occurred during
(Yunus et al., 2008). five years from 1991 to 1995 in northern areas of
Pakistan. The incidence of Mycoplasmosis was
Table 1: Seasonal incidence (%) of diseases in broilers reported higher in the study of Ahmad (1998) as
on quarterly basis in district Khushab, Pakistan. compared to our study. In some countries like Brazil,
the prevalence of MS in chicken flock is increasing and
Diseases Quarters Average even exceeding to that of MG in breeding flocks
Jan- April- July- Oct-
March June Sep Dec (Nascimento et al., 2005). Our results revealed a higher
ND 9.20 7.68 7.91 6.62 7.85 prevalence of MG in winter months as compared to the
Fowl typhoid 7.94 5.47 5.70 7.23 6.58 summer months in broilers, and similar report was
Mycoplasmosis 7.10 7.82 2.70 5.10 5.68 published earlier (Sarkar et al., 2005). This seasonal
E. coli 3.10 3.01 8.58 7.40 5.52
Coccidiosis 4.20 4.30 6.49 3.39 4.59
variation in infection might be due to the sudden
Mycotoxicosis 6.20 3.81 3.40 4.84 4.56 change in temperature and cold stress on the birds.
IBD 2.03 2.18 3.03 4.11 2.84
Infectiuos 2.50 The data regarding prevalence of different diseases in
1.60 1.88 4.84 1.70
coryza
HPS 2.10 2.9 0.86 0.81 1.67
layers are depicted in Table 2. In case of layers, ND
IB 1.21 0.93 2.42 1.81 1.59 prevalence was the highest, followed by Fowl typhoid,
Total : 44.68 39.98 45.93 43.01 Mycotoxicosis, Coccidiosis, IBD, Mycoplasmosis,
Average : 5.50 4.00 4.60 5.95 Infectious coryza, Fowl cholera, IB, E.coli, and HPS .
ND=Newcastle disease, IBD=Infectious Bursal Disease, HPS=
Hydropericardium syndrome, IB=Infectious bronchitis.
The period between January to March appeared to be
safer for layers (Total 32.27%). Overall disease
incidence during each of the quarter months starting
The period between April to June appeared to be from January to March, April to June, July to
comparatively safer for broiler birds as due to lowest September, and October to December was 32.27, 35.64,
disease incidence (Total 39.98%; avg. 4.00%) was 41.26 and 40.70%, respectively. The incidence of ND in
recorded at this period. Incidences of E. coli, Infectious the different quarters was 8.34, 8.88, 7.10, and 7.37%
coryza, HPS, and IB were not equally distributed in all and that of Fowl typhoid was 5.01, 6.01, 8.84, and
the months. Fowl typhoid and Mycotoxicosis occurred 8.02%, respectively. The incidence of E. coli infections
during January to March, and E. coli infection and was 7.5 times higher in broilers than in the layers.
Coccidiosis were mostly found during July to
September. These results were similar to findings of Table 2: Seasonal incidence (%) of diseases in
Khan (1994). It was noted that Fowl typhoid, commercial layer on quarterly basis in district
Mycoplasmosis and E. coli infections were the 2nd, 3rd, Khushab, Pakistan.
and 4th most prevalent diseases, respectively during all Diseases Quarters Average
seasons with almost similar trend throughout the year. Jan- April July- Oct-
March -June Sep Dec
ND 8.34 8.88 7.1 7.37 7.92
Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) is an important pathogen of
Fowl typhoid 5.01 6.01 8.84 8.02 6.97
domestic poultry, causing severe economic losses in Mycotoxicosis 3.21 3.1 8.79 6.97 5.52
poultry industry worldwide. It is considered to be the Coccidiosis 2.22 3.27 6.92 6.60 4.75
most important pathogenic mycoplasmas, and the IBD 2.73 5.62 2.12 2.21 3.17
Mycoplasmosis 3.15 2.43 3.41 3.02 3.00
Office International des Epizooties (OIE) declared the
Infectiuos 2.52
disease caused by Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) as coryza
3.2 2.9 1.8 2.2
notifiable (OIE, 2004). It is the major cause of CRD, and Fowl cholera 1.88 1.1 0.62 2.46 1.52
causes more economic losses as compared to other IB 0.88 1.01 0.81 0.90 0.90
E.coli 1.31 1.11 0.10 0.40 0.73
Mycoplasma species. Birds of all age groups are
HPS 0.34 0.21 0.77 0.55 0.46
susceptible to this disease but young birds are more Total : 32.27 35.64 41.26 40.70
prone to the infection than adults (Mukhtar et al., 2012). Average : 2.94 3.24 3.75 3.70
Besides, MS has also been proven to affect the humoral ND=Newcastle disease, IBD=Infectious Bursal Disease, HPS=
response of chicks vaccinated with La-Sota strain of Hydropericardium syndrome, IB=Infectious bronchitis.

ND virus. Protection of MS infected and ND-

vaccinated broilers could be induced only after a ND was the most frequently occurring disease in all
second dose of ND-vaccine (Nascimento et al., 2005). types of birds. However, its incidence was found

Abbas et al./ J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 2(2): 141-145, June 2015 143
comparatively lower in layers (8.88%) as compared to throughout the country affecting mainly brown layers.
broilers (9.20%). Our findings indicated that in all cases Between 2000 and 2008, about 1,000 Fowl typhoid
vaccination could not protect the birds for infection. outbreaks were reported. After adopting a national-
This might be due to use of inappropriate vaccine, wide vaccination program, the prevalence of Fowl
presence of maternal antibody, faulty storage, brooding typhoid in Korea decreased rapidly from 206 outbreaks
and administration of vaccine, as described by Godwin in 2002 to 31 in 2008 (Kwon et al., 2010).
(2001). In the present study, 9.20 and 8.88% of ND
positive cases were found in broilers and layers Mycotoxicosis falls on third ranking in the layer flock
respectively, as compared to the findings of Talha et al. in this study. Higher incidence of mycotoxicosis was
(2001) and Islam et al. (1998). The present findings reported during monsoon in Chakwal district (Yunus
indicated that the re-emergence of ND in commercial et al., 2009), as obtained in the present study. The
flocks was still a threat to the poultry industry. Pakistan is now considered to be the most intensive
poultry farming region in the world. The widespread
A survey was conducted on Fowl typhoid disease in prevalence of multiple mycotoxins today in this region
Hyderabad district and reported only 1.34% incidence might be due to: improved analytical procedures,
of the disease by Habib-ur-Rehman et al. (2004). A which have increased the chances of mycotoxin
survey conducted in Nigeria showed that ND detection in conventional ingredients and complete
accounted for 14.66%, Fowl typhoid 12.02% and feed; increased use of by-products and alternative feed
Coccidiosis 10.81% (Bukar-Kolo et al., 2006). Then, ingredients, which are likely to have a higher incidence
some workers reported that 18.4% (n=129/700) of mycotoxins, in an effort to reduced feed costs; and
prevalence was recorded for Fowl typhoid in Nigeria changes in global climatic conditions, which are more
(Mbuko et al., 2009). The outbreaks of Fowl typhoid conducive to the growth of mold and subsequent
were also observed to be 3.1 times more likely to occur mycotoxin production. Climatic conditions in the
in December, 2.4 and 1.3 times more likely to occur in country range from tropical to semi-tropical and
birds of 15 weeks and above and 1-5 weeks of age, temperate; the global trade in feedstuffs, which means
respectively. Outbreaks of Fowl typhoid were closely feedstuffs are derived from crops both grown locally,
associated with age, type and poultry species of birds. and imported and hence subjected to different
The highest number of outbreaks of Fowl typhoid was conditions during growing, storage and transport.
recorded in the rainy season (July-September). Similar
observations were recorded in the present study, most CONCLUSION
incidence occurred in the same months in layers but
January to March in broilers. Another worker also In district Khushab, there are limitations of housing
reported that outbreaks of Fowl typhoid were observed and environmental management, where contact with
in summer particularly when the weather was wet and the environment cannot be avoided, suggests that
moisture was persistent in the air (Rao, 2000). different approaches involving biological interventions
may be necessary. Under such situations, live vaccines,
Kwon et al. (2010) investigated the prevalence of Fowl nutritional (short chain fatty acids) interventions, and
typhoid during 2000 to 2008 in Korea. According to the other novel approaches can be considered, either
analysis based on the chicken breeds (n=521 farms), the individually or in combination.
incidence of Fowl typhoid in commercial broilers,
Baeksemi (a mixed breed of male meat-type breeder REFERENCES
and female commercial layer), commercial layers,
native chickens, and broiler breeders were 47.7, 28.4, Ahmad A, Hanif A, Shahid A, Najeeb MI, Ahmad MD
17.2, 5.1, and 1.3%, respectively. Of the affected (2008). Study of disease outbreak in layer flocks in
broilers, over 90% birds were of less than 2 weeks of and around Sammundri area. Pakistan Journal of Life
age, indicating it was possible that they were infected and Social Sciences, 6: 59-62.
with Salmonella gallinarum via vertical transmission. Ahmad I (1998). Diagnosis and control of Mycoplasma
gallisepticum infection in poultry. Final Technical
This disease occurred frequently in Asian poultry. For
Report, Poultry Research Institute, Rawalpindi,
example, from 1996 to 2008, Fowl typhoid was
Pakistan, pp: 10-61.
diagnosed in India. In Japan, the last case of Fowl
Bano S, Naeem K, Malik SA (2003). Seroprevalence of
typhoid was found in 1990 (OIE, 2010). Korea has taken Avian influenza virus and its relationship with high
a great interest with this disease, because since the first mortality and dropped production. Avian Pathology,
case in the field in 1992, Fowl typhoid has spread 32: 283-287.

Abbas et al./ J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 2(2): 141-145, June 2015 144
Bukar-Kolo YM, Ibrahim UI, Abubakar BU (2006). A Mustafa MY, Ali SS 2005. Prevalence of infectious diseases
survey of major constraints limiting commercial in local and Fayoumi breeds of rural poultry (Gallus
poultry production in and around Gombe Metropolis. Domesticus). Journal of Zoology, 20: 177-180.
Nigerian Veterinary Journal, 27: 75-78. Mukhtar M, Awais MM, Anwar MI, Hussain Z, Bhatti N,
Godwin AL (2001). Common causes of vaccine failure in Ali S (2012). Seroprevalence of Mycoplasma
developing countries with special reference to gallisepticum among commercial layers in Faisalabad,
Srilanka. Proceeding of the 2nd International Poultry Pakistan. Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 8:
Show and Seminar of World Poultry Association- 183-186.
Bangladesh: Branch. February 16-17, 2001. IDB Nam J (1995). Interval estimation and significance testing
Bhaban, Dhaka; pp 101-104. for cyclic trends in seasonality studies. Biometrics, 51:
Habib-ur-Rehman S, Mohammad SK, Hamayun K, Nazir 1411-1417.
AS, Wali MB (2004). Incidence and gross pathology of Nascimento ER, Pereira VLA, Nascimento MGF, Barreto
Salmonella gallinarium infection in chicken. Journal of ML (2005). Avian Mycoplasmosis update. Brazilian
Animal and Veterinary Advances, 3: 175-178. Journal of Poultry Science, 7: 1-9.
Harrigan WF (1998). Laboratory methods in food OIE (2004). Manual of diagnostic tests and vaccines for
microbiology. New York: Academic Press. Pp: 34-35. terrestrial animal, 5th Edn., Office International des
Islam MR, Khan M, Das PM, Bari ASM (1998). Poultry Epizooties, Paris, France.
diseases diagnosed at necropsy in 1997 and 1998 on OIE (2010). World animal health situation (data prior
the Department Pathology of Bangladesh Agricultural 2005). - Handistatus II. Available at-
University, Mymensingh. Proceedings of the Fifth http://www.oie.int/hs2/report.asp?lang=en.
BSVER Annual Scientific Conference, December 3-4, (Accessed on January 31, 2015)
1998, Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Rao GA (2000). Comprehensive Textbook on Poultry
Bangladesh. Pathology. Medical Publisher Ltd; pp 7-10.
Javed T, Khan MA, Khan AG (1994). Epidemiological Sarkar SK, Rahman MB, Rahman M, Amin KMR, Khan
investigation and economic losses due to Hydro- MFR, Rahman MM (2005). Sero-prevalence of
pericardium syndrome (HSP) in layer and parent Mycoplasma galliseplicum infection in chickens in
flocks in Lahore dist. Proc. 8th Int. Cong. Anim. model breeder poultry farms of Bangladesh.
Hygiene, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. International Journal of Poultry Science, 4: 32-35.
Khan BA (1994). Aflatoxin contamination of poultry feed http://dx.doi.org/10.3923/ijps.2005.32.35.
and resulting disorders in chicken. Ph.D. thesis, Statistical Report (2011-12). Punjab poultry sector,
University of Karachi, Karachi. statistical report. Published by Poultry Research
Khan A, Ikhwan K, Muhammad A, Mushtaq A, Institute, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Available at
Hamidullah (2000). Prevalence of poultry diseases in http://poultry.punjab.gov.pk/download/Poultry%2
Distt. Kohat. Journal of Science and Technology, 24: 0Status%202011-12.pdf, (Accessed on January 31,
25-28. 2015).
Khawaja JZ, Naeem K, Ahmad Z, Ahmad S (2005). Talha AFSM, Hossain MM, Chowdhury EH, Bari ASM,
Surveillance of Avian influenza virus in wild birds in Islam MR, Das PM (2001). Poultry Diseases occurring
area adjacent to epicenter of an outbreak in Federal in Mymensingh District of Bangladesh. The
Capital territory of Pakistan. International Journal of Bangladesh Veterinarian, 18: 20-23.
Poultry Science, 4: 39-43. Yunus AW, Nasir MK, Farooq U, Bohm J (2008).
Kwon YK, Kim A, Kang MS, Her M, Jung BY, Lee KM, Prevalence of poultry diseases in district Chakwal and
Jeong W, An BK, Kwon JH (2010). Prevalence and their interaction with mycotoxicosis: 1. affects of age
characterization of Salmonella gallinarum in the chicken and flock size. The Journal of Animal and Plant
in Korea during 2000 to 2008. Poultry Science, 89: 236– Sciences, 18: 107-113.
242. Yunus AW, Nasir MK, Aziz T, Böhm J (2009). Prevalence
Mbuko IJ, Raji MA, Ameh J, Saidu L, Musa WI, Abdul PA of poultry diseases in district chakwal and their
(2009). Prevalence and seasonality of fowl typhoid interaction with mycotoxicosis: 2. Effects of season
disease in Zaria-Kaduna State, Nigeria. Journal of and feed. The Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences,
Bacteriological Research, 1: 001-005. 19: 1-5.

****

Under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

Abbas et al./ J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 2(2): 141-145, June 2015 145
View publication stats