Disease sheet · NEXTEKCI School
Gumboro disease
infectious bursal disease · IBD
A viral disease of young birds that destroys the organ producing their defences. It kills quickly then stops within a week, but survivors remain weak and catch other diseases more easily. The virus survives for months in the house.
Type
virus
Severity
serious
Who is affected
Broilers, coloured chickens, pullets.
Most affected age
Mainly between 3 and 6 weeks of age.
Signs to look for
- •Sudden onset: dull, trembling birds with ruffled feathers.
- •Birds sitting on their hocks, beak to the ground, unable to get up.
- •Whitish, watery diarrhoea, soiled feathers around the vent.
- •Birds pecking at each other’s vents.
- •Bell-shaped mortality: it rises for 2 to 3 days, then falls back within a week.
- •After the episode: an uneven flock that responds poorly to vaccines and falls ill more often.
How it spreads
- •A very hardy virus that stays for months in litter, dust, the house and equipment.
- •Boots, clothing, crates and equipment moved from one house or farm to another.
- •Superficial cleaning between flocks: the disease comes back flock after flock.
Not to be confused with
- •Coccidiosis
- •Newcastle disease
- •Salmonellosis (white diarrhoea)
- •Poisoning from mouldy feed
Prevention
- •Vaccination following the protocol of the vet in your area. The vaccination date depends on the defences received from the hen and on disease pressure in the area: the vet sets it.
- •Thorough cleaning, with a disinfectant effective against this virus recommended by the vet.
- •Long downtime after an outbreak: 4 weeks or more, as advised by the vet.
- •Boots, clothing and equipment kept to each house; single-age flock.
What to do if you suspect it
- •Call the vet in your area: they confirm by post-mortem and decide on the next steps.
- •Isolate the house, do not sell or move birds, dispose of carcasses properly.
- •Plenty of cool, clean water; add nothing to the water without the vet’s advice.
- •Protect neighbouring houses: separate boots, clothing and equipment.
- •Prepare thorough cleaning, suitable disinfection and a long downtime.
This sheet helps you recognise the disease and react quickly. It does not replace the veterinarian: only they can diagnose and prescribe a treatment. Worried about your flock? Write to us on WhatsApp at +225 05 44 83 27 79.