Pullorum disease in poultry is caused by the bacteriumSalmonella pullorum. The disease affects mainly young chicks, but can also affect older chickens, and other domestic fowl.[1]
In young flocks mortality can be very high, between 80[2] and 100 percent.[3] Symptoms include weakness or depression, white diarrhea and cluster near heat sources.[3]
The historical name for this disease isbacillary white diarrhea.[3] Pullorum bacteria were identified in 1899, and a blood test was developed in 1913.[2] To control the disease in the US, the National Poultry Improvement Plan was implemented in 1935.[2] By 1970, testing, identification and destruction of infected flocks had generally eradicated the disease.[citation needed]
Treatment of Pullorum is not recommended, as the goal is the eradication of the disease.[3] Most US states ban the import of poultry unless they are certified pullorum clean.[4]
In Canada, Pullorum is a "reportable" disease - all suspected cases must be reported toCanadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Canada has been considered free of the disease since the 1980s.[1] Ontario requires all breeder flocks to be registered and mortality monitored. A high mortality incidence would trigger testing of dead birds. Hatcheries must be registered and undergo routine surveillance testing.[5]
