17.08.2016

Virology Journal (2016) 13:140

In Morocco, low pathogenic avian influenza subtype H9N2 virus was first diagnosed in poultry in January 2016. By mid-February, all parts of the country were affected and the disease spread to layers and breeders farms, which showed very severe respiratory signs, mortality rates ranging from 2 to 15 %and drastic drop in egg production (up to 80 %) with no complete recovery after several weeks. As an initial response, the National Sanitary and Security Food Office of Morocco authorized emergency vaccinations of all types of poultry production. A new study describes the first report and rapid spread of avian influenza H9N2 to all areas of the country within a few weeks and its devastating effects in different types of poultry productions.