Pullorum Disease
It is mainly septicaemic disease of chicken characterized by white
diarrhea in young chicks.
The disease is widely distributed and is caused by gram- bacteria
Salmonella pullorum. The disease is spread from affected hen through the
eggs by vertical transmission. Young chicks with disease shed bacteria through
litter. Contaminated feed, water can also be a source of infection.
Symptoms
Pullorum is considered mainly a disease of chicks below three weeks of
age. The first indication is usually large of number of dead-in-shells or death
soon after hatching. Affected birds are depressed and tend to huddle. Mortality
varies greatly and can be 100%. Adult layers show abnormal ovary, the ova
being irregular cystic or deformed.
Liver Lesions: Liver is dark and swollen with haemorrhages
visible on the surface. Distinct small, white, necrotic foci of 2-4 mm
in diameter are also often found.
