Egg drop syndrome

Egg drop syndrome '76 (EDS '76) is a viral disease that affects birds, notably chickens, ducks, geese and swans.

It is characterised by a sudden drop in production of eggs as well as its eggshell quality in apparent healthy laying birds.

Other places which have had outbreaks include India,[4] Bangladesh,[5] South America,[6] Indonesia,[7] Japan,[8] and Africa.

[10] Moreover, the virus become apparent and more susceptible in chickens of all ages and breeds, especially broilers and brown egg layers.

Thereafter, the matured chickens begin to excrete virus and transmit through the eggs and droppings.

Contaminated water supply with droppings and litters of the natural host contributes to the horizontal spread as well.

[13][14] The affected chicken flocks show a failure to reach a peak egg production.

These may include inactive ovaries and shrunken oviducts, swelling and white exudate in the shell gland.

The common tests of choice include Haemaglutination-Inhibition, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay and Serum Neutralisation.

Healthy and uninfected flocks should be kept separated from infected birds and from the virus' natural host.