The cost to the meat chicken industry of the introduction of Infectious Bursal Disease to New Zealand

Authors: Christensen NH
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 33, Issue 11, pp 191-193, Nov 1985
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Avian, Poultry, Production animal
Subject Terms: Animal industries, Clinical pathology, Diagnostic procedures, Finance/economics, Notifiable organisms/exotic disease, Viral, Reproduction, Disease/defect, Infectious disease
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: The suggestion in the wake of the Commerce Commission hearing on the takeover of Sandy Lodge by Central Feed Mills Ltd., that imports of poultry meat be allowed into New Zealand, threatens the excellent health status of New Zealand poultry flocks, in particular with respect to freedom from Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD). The costs of IBD becoming endemic in New Zealand poultry are calculated to be in excess of $5.25 million per annum for the meat chicken industry alone. This is made up largely of losses due to loss of growth, and processing plant condemnations, but also due to mortality, vaccination charges, increased drug usage, increased laboratory costs and loss of exports. Infectious Bursal Disease has been shown to be a very hardy virus able to resist freezing and thawing, pH 2, five hours at WC, and a variety of disinfectants. Since it was first diagnosed in the U.S.A. in 1962, it has been reported in most major poultry producing countries. No serological evidence of its presence has been detected in many thousands of agar gel precipitation and ELISA tests carried out on New Zealand poultry…

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