research note on outbreak of infectious bursal disease [IBD] in Saudi Arabia

During spring 1991, a severe outbreak of infectious bursal disease [IBD] in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia was investigated. The mortality rate recorded was very high and reached 26.49%. The affected chicken flocks were 35 days old and were vaccinated against IBD virus at 15 and 30 days old. Large swelling in some cases accompanied with haemorrhages, were observed in the bursa of Fabricius of the affected chickens. Kidneys were oedematous and showed signs of nephrosis. Pathological and histopathological examinations of affected organs were described. The etiological agent was isolated in embryonated chicken eggs and subsequently identified by agar gel precipitation test and fluorescent antibody technique. A recommendation of close monitoring and further investigation of these virulent cases of field IBD viruses has been suggested