Gumboro disease (infectious bursitis) outbreaks in Madagascar

Abstract

Four Gumboro disease (IBD) outbreaks were identified between February and June 1993 in the Antananarivo area (Madagascar) exhibiting the largest commercial poultry production activity. Affected birds were 3 to 5 weeks old, the mortality rate ranged from 5.70 to 27.4 %. Typical symptoms and gross lesions were observed, necrotic degeneration of bursal follicles was also detected. By means of agar-immunodiffusion test, IBD viral antigen was demonstrated. Since the IBD has never been recorded in the country before, the probability of an external origin through the importation of day-old chicks is high.