Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT)
ILT is an acute, highly contagious herpesvirus infection of chickens, pheasants, peafowl and turkeys, characterized by severe dyspnea, coughing and rales. It is found in most areas of the US and other parts of the world where poultry are intensively raised. The route of infection is through the upper respiratory tract and conjunctiva, though it may also be transmitted orally by ingesting contaminated litter. The course of the disease is up to 6 weeks.
- Coughing of mucus and blood
- Drop in egg production
- Ocular discharge
- Nasal discharge (low pathogenicity strains)
Morbidity ranges from 50%-100%; mortality averages from 10%-20% but can be as high as 70%. Recovered and vaccinated birds are long-term carriers, though the lateral spread of ILT is fairly slow.
There are no current treatments for ILT. Antibiotics can be used to control any secondary bacterial infections. Prevention is generally accomplished through quarantine, all-in/all-out production or vaccination. Strict biosecurity should be observed when moving equipment or materials among the chicken houses.