October 10, 2013
 

Merial addresses avian disease challenges at Indo Livestock
 

Merial Asia highlighted its vaccine technology and vaccination services at the recent Indo Livestock 2013, addressing issues from avian respiratory diseases, to falling egg production, reproductive issues and swollen head syndrome.

Together with its long-term distributor in Indonesia, Romindo Primavetcom, the France-based animal health company under Sanofi has been providing a comprehensive range of innovative animal health solutions to the local industry for years.

"We, at Merial, dedicate ourselves to helping our customers protect their poultry from disease challenges by establishing a strong immune system as early as possible, starting from the hatchery," said Niki Atienza, Merial Head of Avian Business, Southeast Asia.

Professor Charles Rangga Tabbu from Gadjag Mada University discussed respiratory diseases, saying "Respiratory diseases, infection of the digestive tract and mycotoxicosis result in poor development of the growing pullet. Common respiratory diseases include chronic respiratory disease, infectious coryza, avian metapneumovirus infection, infectious laryngotracheitis and fowl cholera. The gut of the bird is often challenged with pathogens causing Coccidiosis, Colibaccillosis, Salmonellosis, Clostridial infections and Helminthiasi."

"Viral and bacterial diseases such as infectious bronchitis, EDS-76, Newcastle disease, Avian Influenza, Colibaccillosis, Fowl Cholera and also Mycotoxicosis have a more direct and negative impact on the reproductive system of poultry," Professor Charles added.

He also elaborated on the causes of egg production drop in layers. Infectious diseases, proper management of pullets and layers in production, as well as feeding, are all important factors in determining the performance of the laying flock. Poor performance in laying flocks manifests itself in many forms, such as a delay in coming into production, failure to peak, poor quality of eggs or a combination of all these. They can be permanent or temporary depending on the underlying causes. In his presentation, Professor Charles stressed on the importance of feed quality, especially in relation to mycotoxicosis.

Representing Merial, Dr Michael Lee, Avian Technical Manager for Asia, discussed avian metapneumovirus infection. This disease is often known as avian rhinotracheitis or swollen head syndrome. Even though it is less severe in chicken as compared to turkey, it can cause significant losses in production especially when exacerbated by other factors like Newcastle disease, infectious bronchitis, poor ventilation and ammonia.

Dr Lee also addressed Avian metapneumovirus infection in birds that are in lay can result in a reduction of egg production but this is often overlooked and can be misdiagnosed as infectious bronchitis. There are four subtypes identified serologically and cross immunity exists between the subtypes. Apart from good hygiene and flock management, the disease can be prevented by vaccinating poultry with live and killed vaccines such as Nemovac and Gallimune 407 ND+IB+EDS+ART, which are part of the Merial range of vaccines.

Indo Livestock exhibition and conference brought together more than 8,000 visitors, with 30% consisting of poultry breeders and producers, mainly from Indonesia and the Asia-Pacific region.