Wild birds can spread infectious bronchitis to poultry flocks

A team of UK researchers has found evidence that wild birds can spread infectious bronchitis between poultry flocks.

Infectious bronchitis is respiratory disease caused by coronaviruses affecting chickens of all ages, often leading to a loss of production and egg quality in mature hens. Some strains can cause huge losses, with mortality rates of up to 25%.

Currently, the poultry industry controls disease through the use of vaccines. However, the virus continuously mutates creating new strains and current vaccines in use do not protect birds against some of these.

Therefore, wild birds may play a role as both reservoirs and long-distance vectors of the virus. To better understand the possible role of wild birds, Laura Hughes and her colleagues at the University of Liverpool carried out a survey of coronaviruses in wildfowl and wading birds in England.

Analysis revealed that some viruses are genetically similar to infectious bronchitis virus found in poultry. “This suggests that wild birds are able to carry these viruses,” concluded the researchers.