Sero-prevalence of avian influenza in broiler flocks in district Gujranwala (Pakistan)

• Published in: International journal of agriculture and biology 2011-01, Vol.13 (6), p.850-856
• Main Authors: Cheema, B.F. (University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (Pakistan). Dept. of Veterinary Microbiology), Siddique, M. (University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (Pakistan). Dept. of Veterinary Microbiology), Sharif, A. (District Government Bahawalpur (Pakistan). Livestock and Dairy Development Dept.), Mansoor, M.K. (University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (Pakistan). Dept. of Veterinary Microbiology), Iqbal, Z. (University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (Pakistan). Dept. of Veterinary Parasitology)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AVIAN INFLUENZAVIRUS; BLOOD SERUM; BROILER CHICKENS; HAEMAGGLUTINATION TESTS; MORBIDITY; PAKISTAN
• ISSN: 1560-8530; 1814-9596

In the current project the sero-prevalence of Avian Influenza (AI) was monitored in broiler flocks in the area of Gujranwala, Pakistan. For this purpose serum samples and cloacal swabs were collected from the 100 suspected and healthy farms in and around Gujranwala. Serum samples were subjected to Hemagglutination Inhibition (HI) Test and Agar Gel Precipitation Test (AGPT) for sero-prevalence of AI. Tissue samples and cloacal swabs were sent to the NARC (National Agricultural Research Centre) for isolation of AI. Only three farms located at Wazirabad road, Pasroor road and Lahore road were positive for AI with sero-prevalence of 20, 50 and 30%, respectively. In the population study the upper limit of the broiler population was 15,000 and lower limit was 1500 birds. So the mean was 3870 birds. There was no affect of feed, vaccination schedule and breed on the prevalence of AI. The most affected age of broiler population was between 26 and 38 days. AI vaccine was not carried out at the broiler farms. But almost all broiler breeder farmers vaccinated their birds against both H7 and H9 subtypes of AI, which showed satisfactory results.