Duck Plague: A Hidden Killer in Poultry Farms — How to Stop It with Effective Disinfection and Biosecurity

In high-density duck farms, an outbreak of Duck Plague (DP) can wipe out flocks in mere weeks, with mortality rates as high as 90%. This is no ordinary disease—it’s a serious veterinary threat that demands swift action.

🐤 What Is Duck Plague?

Duck Plague, or Duck Viral Enteritis (DVE), is caused by Duck Plague Virus (DPV)—a herpesvirus that spreads quickly among ducks, geese, and swans.
🧪 Key symptoms:

• 🔥 High fever (>43°C)
• 💧 Watery or swollen eyes
• 🦵 Leg paralysis
• 💩 Greenish-gray foul-smelling diarrhea
• 🧠 Swollen head and neck

Post-mortem findings:

• ⚠️ Esophageal ulcers with yellow pseudomembranes
• 🩸 Liver hemorrhages and necrosis
• 🟥 Intestinal ring hemorrhages
• 💚 Enlarged gallbladder with dark bile

🔄 How It Spreads

🔍 Main sources:

• Infected or recovering ducks/geese
• Birds in incubation period already shedding virus

📈 Transmission routes:

• 🥣 Contaminated feed, water, bedding
• 💨 Respiratory droplets
• 🪰 Insect bites
• 🧬 Contact through eye, mating

🚨 High-risk animals:

• All duck breeds and ages
• Laying ducks and free-range flocks at greater risk
• Geese can be fatally infected through close contact

📅 When outbreaks occur:

• Seasonal peaks: Late spring & autumn
• Outbreaks last 2–6 weeks, may return years later

🔬 Symptoms & Postmortem Highlights

⏳ Incubation: 2–5 days (virus actively replicating)
👁️ Visible symptoms:

• Teary or pus-filled eyes
• Eye swelling and even eversion
• Greenish diarrhea, soiled tail feathers
• Weakness, refusal to swim, hunched posture
• Noisy breathing, nasal discharge, hoarse calls

🧟 Internal signs:

• Yellow pseudomembranes in esophagus
• Severe intestinal bleeding (especially in duodenum & rectum)
• Ring hemorrhages in small intestine
• Gray-white necrotic spots on the liver
• Cardiac bleeding and dark clots
• Enlarged gallbladder with black bile

🧼 How to Control the Outbreak

✅ 1. Disinfection & Biosecurity

🛡️ Vet biosecurity starts with prevention.
Use effective veterinary disinfectants for regular farm disinfection:

Recommended disinfectants:

• 🧪 5% lime milk
• 🧪 10% bleaching powder
• 🧪 1% Roxycide solution (for poultry disinfection/duck disinfection)

Disinfect everything:

• Coops, feeders, tools, clothing, and vehicles
• Compost manure before disposal
• Eliminate mosquitoes and flies regularly

💉 2. Vaccination

• Core prevention tool: Live attenuated DPV vaccine
• 📆 First dose at 20 days, booster before egg production
• 🦢 Geese must be vaccinated in high-risk zones

🚨 3. Outbreak Response

• 📢 Report immediately to vet authorities
• 🚫 Isolate the farm, stop movement of birds & equipment
• 🔥 Cull and safely dispose of infected flocks
• 🧽 Terminal disinfection and resting period before re-stocking

⚠️ Common Misconceptions

1. ❌ “Only ducks get it?”
   → Geese can get severely ill through contact.
2. ❌ “Cold weather is safe?”
   → Virus survives up to 1 year at -20°C!
3. ❌ “Recovered ducks are safe?”
   → They shed the virus for at least 3 months. Must be culled.

✅ Final Thought

Scientific awareness, early detection, and proper duck disinfection protocols are your best defenses.
ROSUN, as a professional disinfectant manufacturer, remains committed to developing advanced disinfection products that help farmers strengthen vet biosecurity and protect their flocks.