February 21, 2008

IB survey to assist producers to plan for risk increase
 

A major European animal drug company has released a new quarterly survey on infectious bronchitis (IB) strains across Europe to assist producers to plan for a risk increase.

A variety of IB strains with distinct differences have been discovered to exist between countries, according to the results of Fort Dodge's survey.

The most common strain detected from 2002-2004 was Italy-02, which is especially virulent in the UK, France and Spain. A novel strain QX-like (L1148/D388) was noted and was common in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands since 2004, though it has become common in France as well since 2006.

The results raised concerns of the re-emergence of the D1466 strain across Europe, as present vaccines do not provide protection against it.

IB is a poultry respiratory disease that affects flocks of all ages. It causes poor weight gain and decreased egg production.