Investing in vaccines to control Gumboro disease

In matters of health be it in human beings or animals, vaccination plays a pivotal role in protection against myriad of diseases or ailments that would otherwise render us or our animals inactive, sick, weak, or even result into death. Vaccines are biological agents that are administered to living animals to induce an immune response (immunity/immunization) towards that specific biological disease agent (antigen)

In poultry world today, a growing number of farmers have accepted and even invested in routine vaccination technologies against poultry diseases. Most data from big vaccine manufacturing companies show that a good vaccination protocol that is well planned and executed is very important in disease control strategies in the poultry industry.

Gumboro disease scientifically known as Infectious bursal disease (IBD), was first described in a village called Gumboro in USA but has since spread to the rest of the world. It is a disease predominantly affecting young birds and associated with rapid onset, whitish diarrhea, depression, and high death rate especially in non-vaccinated lot. High mortality can have a significant impact on a farmer’s profitability be it in meat or egg production. So how do we keep our flocks protected against Gumboro disease? Here are the strategies.

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Take good care of the mother hen by vaccination

The first line of defense against Gumboro disease starts with a proper administration and monitoring of vaccines against the disease in young mother hens before they come into production. Most of the hatchery breeders do this exercise at the farm at 16-18 weeks of age, Gumboro vaccination exposes the bird to the disease/antigen contained in the vaccine, and this leads to production of more effective immune responses in form of antibodies. Antibodies are special types of proteins produced in the body and their work is to identify and neutralize foreign bodies or germs such as viruses that cause disease. Antibodies against Gumboro disease are then transferred to the fertile eggs and end up in the day- old chicks where they confer passive immunity against the disease for these chicks in the first three weeks of life.

Vaccination control at the hatchery

The hatcheries are becoming a critical area where chicks can be vaccinated conveniently and effectively against Gumboro at hatch, for this reason an increased number of chicks are vaccinated at this point. Recombinant Gumboro vaccine is one of the innovative new vaccines for chickens that can be administered in the hatchery via injection. It is a safe, effective, long-term protection against three of the most important infectious and commercially disruptive flock diseases in a single vaccine. It requires specialised handling and administration to ensure that each chick is well vaccinated. Vaccination at the hatchery with a non-reactive HVT vaccine ensures more uniform protection while eliminating performance losses due to respiratory vaccination reactions or concerns about maternal antibody interference with traditional IBD vaccines.

 On-farm vaccination control

Farm vaccination is important in preventing losses from specific diseases. The scheduling of any vaccination program is key to a successful vaccination with least economic losses. There is no practical one specific program that fits all and in all areas of the world and therefore one needs to consult your local veterinarian to do a program that will meet the disease challenge and vaccine availability of your area. You must however ensure that only healthy chicks are vaccinated and avoid stressful conditions prior and after vaccination.  It is important that one reads the manufacturer’s recommendation carefully on the reconstitution, dilution, and administration of the vaccines. It is also important to check that the vaccines are stored in a clean and safe refrigerator at the right temperature. Most vaccines will be stored at 2-80C, do not use expired vaccines and do not dilute vaccines to cover all your birds, every bird is entitled to a full dose. Provide multivitamins for 3 days after vaccination.

Monitor the health of the birds

Once birds are vaccinated, the next couple of days or weeks is very important for the birds to react and develop immunity against the disease. This is called immunization. The birds must continue to get clean, fresh, and cool potable drinking water, robust feed, comfortable environment with plenty of ventilation, lighting, and bedding.