Isolation of Marek's disease virus from affected chickens

Authors: Horner GW, James MP
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 23, Issue 6, pp 102-104, Jun 1975
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Avian, Poultry, Production animal
Subject Terms: Viral, Disease/defect, Infectious disease, Mortality/morbidity
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: Marek`s disease is a common disease of poultry in New Zealand, with annual flock losses ranging from 10 to 30% (Anon., 1971). In a report on diseases of the domestic fowl in northern New Zealand, McCausland (1972) found that 12.9% of birds under 20 weeks of age submitted to the Ruakura Animal Health Laboratory were suffering from Marek`s disease. Reports from England (Churchill and Biggs, 1967), United States (Witter et al 1969), and Australia (Mustaffa-Babjee, 1970; Smith and Coakley, 1970) indicate that a cell-associated herpes virus is the aetiological agent. This report records the primary isolation of the virus from two field cases of the disease in New Zealand.

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