Infectious Bronchitis in chickens

The Infectious Bronchitis virus (IBV), a Coronavirus, targets not only the respiratory tract but also the uro-genital tract. The virus can spread to different organs throughout the chicken. Infection initially causes respiratory disease in the infected birds and also drops in egg production in layers and breeders. Kidney damage can also occur.

Although morbidity is high, the mortality rate in an infected flock can vary, depending on standards of management and on possible involvement of secondary bacterial infections. Control is best achieved by improved biosecurity and vaccination. The MSD Animal Health range of poultry vaccines, Nobilis^®, has live and inactivated vaccines for the vaccination of breeder, layer and broiler chickens.