From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Blood-stained ice from the nasal discharge of a
mallard dying from duck plague.
Duck plague (also known as duck viral enteritis) is a worldwide disease caused by duck herpesvirus 1 (anatid herpesvirus 1) of the family Herpesviridae that causes high mortality in flocks of ducks. It is spread through contaminated water and direct contact. Migratory waterfowl are a major factor in the spread of this disease. The incubation period is three to seven days.[1] Symptoms include depression, loss of appetite, decreased egg production, nasal discharge, increased thirst, diarrhea, ataxia, and tremors. Most ducks that show symptoms eventually die - mortality may reach 90 percent.[2] Vaccination for duck plague is now routine in the United States.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Fenner, Frank J.; Gibbs, E. Paul J.; Murphy, Frederick A.; Rott, Rudolph; Studdert, Michael J.; White, David O. (1993). Veterinary Virology (2nd ed.). Academic Press, Inc. ISBN 0-12-253056-X.
- ^ Carter, G.R.; Flores, E.F.; Wise, D.J. (2006). Herpesviridae. A Concise Review of Veterinary Virology. Retrieved on 2006-06-10.
