| SWOLLEN HEAD SYNDROME (SHS) |
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Causative Agent: Pneumoviridae. |
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Transmission: 1. Aerosol 2. Direct contact. |
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Incubation Period: 4 to 7 weeks. |
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Morbidity: 5 to 40%. |
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Mortality: 3% and above within one week of onset of infection. |
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Age Group affected: 15 days and up. |
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Signs: 1. Conjunctivitis and edema of one or both eyes. 2. Almost-shaped appearance of eyes. 3. Head shaking. 4. Birds scratch eyes with their toenails. 5. When infection subsides, wattles and intermandibular tissue become hardned. |
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Gross Lesions: Wattles - edematous. Eyes - distention of blood vessels of conjunctiva and edema of the tissue surrounding the eye. Nasal bone (turbinate) - hemorrhagic. Peritoneum - inflammed. |
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Diagnosis: 1. Viral isolation using tissue culture. 2. Neutralization test. 3. Bacterial isolation of secondary invador. |
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Differential Diagnosis: 1. Infectious Coryza. 2. Fowl Cholera. 3. Mycoplasmosis. 4. Newcastle Disease. |
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Prevention: 1. Proper ventilation of birds due to avoid stress. 2. Water supply should be chlorinated. 3. Avoid contact of birds ti turkeys since turkey rhinotracheitis (TRT) is a related condition. 4. Follow vaccination program of broilers and layers and layers against Newcastle Disease, infectious Coryza and infectious Bronchitis. |
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Control: Isolate affected birds and allow free access to feed and water. |
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| Treatment: None. | ||||
Recommended Supportive Medication: 1. Water soluble vitamins should be initiated within 24 hours of onset of conjunctivitis. 2. Furazolidone, Ampicillin or triple-Sulfa can be administered against secondary invader. |
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