Avian Tuberculosis

Chronic slow-spreading infectious disease of adult fowl caused by a bacterium. Infection is most common in chickens older than l year, but younger birds can become infected.

Transmission is usually an infected environment. Infected birds excrete the organism in their feces. Spreads from bird to bird, animal to bird, and bird to animal (including rodents).

Infected dead birds may infect rodents. Clinical signs are birds that lose weight and become unthrifty. Comb and wattles regress and become pale. Affected birds are usually older than one year.

Avian TB progresses slowly thru a flock TB in the bone will produce lameness.

There is no treatment for avian TB and requires flock depopulation, rodent control and strict sanitation of buildings and equipment.