Investigation of IBH outbreaks in Australian meat breeder/broiler flocks an

Summary

The main outcomes of this project will be a better understanding of the status of Australian chicken flocks in relation to adenovirus infection and also involvement of immunosuppressive agents in suspected field outbreaks of IBH. This project will address the immediate questions: a) Have histopathological examinations confirmed IBH outbreaks and if so, are the outbreaks caused by the vaccine type? b) If not the vaccine, what type is it? c) Is it a primary pathogen? d) Is this the same virus in all outbreaks? Is there a new verticallytransmitted disease or classical IBH following immunosuppression?

Program

Chicken Meat

Research Organisation

The University of Melbourne

Objective Summary

To establish the necessary diagnostic tools to allow avian adenoviruses to be isolated and typed in Australia. To use these tools to investigate outbreaks of inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) in Australian breeder and broiler flocks. To establish an avian adenovirus diagnostic facility and ongoing typing service for the Australian chicken industry.