Avian infectious bronchitis - control of the disease and prophylactic measures

ABSTRACT

Poultry industry is dynamically developing worldwide, and the threat from infectious viral diseases also increases. One of them is an acute, highly contagious avian infectious bronchitis (IB), caused by infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), the coronavirus of the fowl. IBV is characterized by extensive variations in the surface spike protein gene. Those genetic variations lead to rapid changes in IBV serotypes that need to be constantly monitored to assess the epidemiological situation in the field. The aim of this article was to present current knowledge and recent epidemiology, based on IBV field strains circulation. Several serotypes can be simultaneously present in a region and as they cross-protect poorly, broiler chickens can be infected more than once within their short period of life. Careful, constant monitoring is necessary to respond fast in case of new genetic IBV variants development. Some of these strains have global range, while the prevalence of others is limited to some geographical areas. Thus, the understanding the IB epidemiology, virus spread and the occurrence of individual strains allows to use the optimal vaccination schedule to limit the disease and improve the poultry production. Finaily, a good recognition of the IB problem in Central and Eastern Europe on the example of Poland as the largest European poultry producer, can be a key factor in the quickest response to emerging new IBV variants. Some practical solutions may help to introduce the similar and effective procedures also in other regions of the world with high intensity of poultry production.