Hydropericardium-hepatitis Syndrome, Angara Disease

HydropericardiumHepatitis Syndrome, Angara Disease Dr.Kedar Karki

Introduction • This condition was first identified in broilers in Pakistan in 1987. It spread rapidly in broiler producing areas in that country and the same or a very similar condition has been seen in North and South America. It affects mainly broilers and broiler parents in rear and has also been seen in pigeons.

• It is a condition caused by an adenovirus, possibly in combination with an RNA virus and immunosuppression caused by Chick Anaemia Virus or Infectious Bursal Disease.

Introduction • The disease is readily reproduced by inoculating birds with a bacteria-free filtrate of a liver extract from an affected bird. Mortality may reach 60% but more typically 10-30%.

Signs • • • •

Sudden increase in mortality. Lethargy. Huddling with ruffled feathers. Yellow mucoid droppings.

Post-mortem lesions • Excessive straw-coloured fluid distending the pericardium (up to 10 mls). • Enlarged, pale friable liver and kidney. • Congestion of the carcase. • Lungs oedematous.

Hydropericardium in a chicken. Excessive fluid is seen in the pericardial sac. Liver is swollen.

Diagnosis • Lesions, histopathology, virology.

Treatment • None. Good water sanitation (e.g. treatment of drinking water with 0.1% of a 2.5% iodophor solution) appears to be beneficial.

Prevention • The condition typically occurs in areas of high poultry density where multi-age operation is traditional. Control of predisposing immunosuppressive diseases may help limit losses. Formalin-inactivated oil adjuvant vaccines are reported to be highly effective and are used in areas where the condition is endemic.