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Special thanks to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
www.inspection.gc.ca

Pullorum Disease

What is Pullorum Disease?

Pullorum Disease is an infectious poultry disease caused by the bacterium Salmonella pullorum.  The disease mainly affects young chicks under three weeks of age and turkey poults, although most species of birds can become infected.

What are the signs of the disease?

The first indications of Pullorum Disease may be reduced fertility, large numbers of dead in-shell chicks or chicks that die shortly after hatching. Deaths usually peak in the second week of life, when mortality can approach 100 percent. Infected birds may display diarrhea, loss of appetite, droopy wings, weakness and chalk-white feces. Surviving birds may not continue to show signs, but usually become permanent carriers of the disease-causing bacterium.

How is the disease spread?

Pullorum Disease is usually transmitted from an infected hen to chicks and poults through the egg.  Infected birds can also shed the bacterium in their faeces, spreading the disease to other birds by contaminating litter, feed, and water. The disease can be also spread by contaminated incubators, equipment, footwear and clothing.

Is the disease present in Canada?

Isolated cases of Pullorum Disease have been detected in small flocks on several occasions, most recently in British Columbia in 2001.

Are humans at risk?

Health Canada considers the risk to the general public to be low. Salmonella pullorum rarely causes human illness in Canada. Moreover, properly cooking eggs and poultry meat destroys the bacterium, eliminating the potential threat to human health.

How is the disease detected?

Canada has conducted Pullorum Disease surveillance and eradication since 1982. Breeding flocks and exhibition and game birds are routinely tested to facilitate the early detection and management of any cases of infection. 

How is the disease controlled?

Pullorum Disease is a reportable disease under the Health of Animals Act. This means that by law all suspect cases must be reported to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Flocks in which the disease is confirmed are destroyed. Owners are compensated for birds ordered destroyed.

Bird owners can protect birds from Pullorum Disease by avoiding the introduction of new or ill birds into existing flocks. As well, maintaining proper sanitation standards such as regularly cleaning barns, equipment, clothing and footwear can further limit the risk to birds.

Chicken Farmers of Canada: 350 Sparks Street, Suite 1007, Ottawa, Ontario K1R 7S8 Tel: (613) 241-2800 Fax: (613) 241-5999 Email: cfc@chicken.ca