POULTRY Egg drop may be defined as a sudden drop in egg production or a failure to achieve a normal peak in production. In the autumn of 1976 a distinct egg drop syndrome was first identified in Northern Ireland. Apparently a similar disease had been seen over a 4-year period in broiler parents in Holland. The cause has been identified as Adenovirus BC14, 127, first isolated in Northern Ireland in 1976.
It affects chickens and has occurred in Ireland, Holland, France, England, Germany, Spain, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina. Mortality is usually negligible. Circumstantial evidence suggests that the main route of transmission is through the eggs (vertical transmission) followed by latent infection during rear with viral excretion starting shortly before sexual maturity. Lateral transmission from bird to bird is slow and may be prevented or slowed for weeks by netting divisions.
It affects chickens and has occurred in Ireland, Holland, France, England, Germany, Spain, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina. Mortality is usually negligible. Circumstantial evidence suggests that the main route of transmission is through the eggs (vertical transmission) followed by latent infection during rear with viral excretion starting shortly before sexual maturity. Lateral transmission from bird to bird is slow and may be prevented or slowed for weeks by netting divisions.
