ILT

The disease ILT (infectious laryngotracheitis) may occur in hobbykippen, pheasants and peacocks. Infection with this virus disease is characterized by increased mortality, respiratory sounds (gurgling and spluttering), conjunctivitis, nasal discharge, occasionally bloody mucus and the striking 'yawn', where the animals with open beaks and outstretched neck, inhaling and then at the expiration the head lowered. The chicken can thereby have very cramped.

Transfer and dissemination of ILTThe ILT virus is a herpesvirus. The virus can be particularly at low temperatures to survive very long outside of the chicken: one week in manure and dead animals in a few months. ILT virus spreads more slowly than other viruses, such as IBV, NCD and AI. For houses with cages may take several days before the barn is infected.Dissemination takes place through: direct contact and indirect contact (people, birds, vermin, transport, packaging and tools). Spread through the air seems possible, but is normally not a major factor. Wild birds are not seen as a virus reservoir, although pheasants are a risk factor.There is no vertical transmission in infected eggs because the embryo dies off. The incubation period is 5-15 days. After infection and vaccination can prevent latent virus carriers. Reactivation of the (vaccine) virus is possible, such as stress, production, and scaling an existing in a flock.

No treatment, or vaccinationAgainst ILT is no treatment. Emergency vaccination of the affected animals can not do. This vaccine gives complete protection after one day or 5. Vaccination can cause severe symptoms and even lead to new outbreaks. Because of the severe reaction to vaccination is recommended only if there are sick animals or their immediate neighbors complaints. Preventive vaccination is risky.

The practice, signals that a relationship exists between nutrition and ILT. That relationship is traced to a diet of lower quality, which decreases the resistance of the animals and they are susceptible to ILT. In well-fed animals were less severe symptoms than less well-nourished animals. Which would amount to ILT is also a symptom of an overall weakening of chickens.