A report on an outbreak of botulism in broilers in Pakistan

An outbreak of type C botulism in four week-old broilers in an open farm house is described. Botulism is an intoxication caused by exotoxins of Clostridium botulinum. At 4 weeks of age, an increase in mortality was observed in the broilers. Clinically, the birds presented with paralysis of the legs, wings, and neck. Affected birds were sitting and reluctant to move. Necropsy failed to find any specific lesions. Except water, investigations of environmental samples to detect the source of the toxin were not successful despite repeated testing. DNA of C. botulinum type C was detected by PCR in liver, heart, muscles and crop. The result was confirmed by a mouse lethality neutralization test. During the 2 weeks after the onset of the clinical signs the mortality was about 47.8%. After 2 weeks, clinical signs and mortality abated.

Duke Scholars

Author Sajid Umar DKU Faculty