Identity

A high-priority bacterial infectious disease caused by Pasteurella multocida. It manifests as an acute, high-mortality septicemia with endotoxemia and vascular collapse, or as a chronic form with localized suppurative inflammation in joints and wattles.

Overview

Fowl Cholera is a high-priority bacterial pathogen globally distributed in mature poultry. The encapsulated bacteria evade phagocytosis, replicating rapidly in the blood to establish endotoxemia and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Acute outbreaks cause massive mortality with birds found dead without prior signs. Chronic cases show localized caseous exudates. Management strictly requires wild bird and rodent exclusion, as rats act as biological reservoirs. Outbreaks are managed using inactivated bacterins and targeted antibiotic therapy per SVTG protocols.

Structured Facts

Classification

Bacterial > Infectious Pathogen

Epidemiology

• Severity: High
• Affected Species: Poultry (Broiler breeders, commercial layers, turkeys)
• Affected Age: Mature birds > 16 weeks of age
• Transmission: Ingestion/inhalation of contaminated feed/water/dust, mechanical vectors (rodents, predators)
• Mortality: Up to 100% in acute septicemic cases; < 5% in chronic cases
• Morbidity: Up to 100% (acute)
• Economic Importance: High

Clinical Signs

• Early/Intermediate: Severe depression, anorexia, ruffled feathers, dyspnea, mucous discharge from mouth
• Advanced: Acute: sudden death, cyanosis of comb/wattles, acute septicemia. Chronic: lameness, swollen hock joints, swollen wattles. Targets Vascular bed, Respiratory, Joints.
• Postmortem Findings: Acute: Widespread epicardial/myocardial/subserosal hemorrhages, hepatomegaly with pinpoint white necrotic foci, fibrinous pneumonia. Chronic: yellow suppurative exudate in joints/wattles/sinuses.

Diagnosis

• Field Diagnosis: Sudden high mortality in mature birds, cyanosis, swollen wattles
• Laboratory Tests: Bipolar staining (Wright/Giemsa) on blood smears, blood agar isolation (non-hemolytic mucoid colonies, sweetish odor), PCR
• Differential Diagnosis: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, Erysipelas, Colibacillosis

Treatment

• Immediate Actions: Rodent and wild bird exclusion, proper disposal of dead birds
• Medicines: Sulfas, Tetracyclines, Penicillins (per SVTG protocols)
• Withdrawal: Subject to SVTG guidelines
• Veterinary Intervention: SVTG directed

Prevention

• Vaccination: Inactivated oil-adjuvant bacterins (administered at 8-10 weeks, boosted 14-16 weeks)
• Biosecurity: Mitigated by standard Biosecurity Protocols, strict Rodent Control
• Farm Management: Rodent exclusion

Quantitative Data

• Morbidity Rate: Up to 100%
• Mortality Rate: Up to 100% (Acute); < 5% (Chronic)
• Target Age: > 16 weeks

Relationships

• Vaccines: Inactivated oil-adjuvant bacterins
• Medicines: Sulfas, Tetracyclines, Penicillins
• Biosecurity: Rodent Control, Biosecurity Protocols
• Vector: Wild rats and mice