More than 150 veterinarians and poultry production specialists from North America, Latin America and Asia gathered in Atlanta recently to learn about the latest information and effective control of Gumboro disease at the Merial IBD Summit 2010. The summit brought together veterinarians and poultry producers from 21 countries, representing the largest poultry integrators in the Americas and Asia.

Rafael Fernandez, DVM, director of Technical Services for Merial Latin America, said: "Merial believes in bringing new information and educational programs to the Avian industry to improve poultry health and production. The summit allowed us to unite scientific leaders and industry experts to share their knowledge on effective control of Gumboro disease, which causes severe illness and mortality in chickens and adversely affects poultry production."

Dr John R. Glisson, DVM, of the University of Georgia kicked off the symposium, speaking about the history and control of avian diseases, from the days of Louis Pasteur to today's use of vector vaccine technology to deliver safer and more effective vaccines. Dr Pedro Villegas-Narvaez, DVM, University of Georgia; Dr Fred Hoerr, DVM, Auburn University; and Dr Francisco Perozo, DVM, Universidad del Zulia in Venezuela, discussed diagnostic methods and the use of vector vaccine technology to effectively control IBD.

Luis Alberto Botero, DVM, from Avidesa MacPollo in Colombia, a Merial customer, presented the economic benefits of using the Merial Vaxxitek^TM HVT+IBD vector vaccine in more than 120 million broiler chickens. Bill Hewat, DVM, another Merial customer, discussed production improvements after introducing the vector vaccine in various commercial broiler operations in the US.

Jérôme Baudon, Avian Business director, Merial International Region, concluded: "Since its first launch in 2006 in Brazil, over five billion chickens have been vaccinated worldwide with Vaxxitek HVT+IBD. Merial firmly believes that IBD vaccination is moving from the field to the hatchery."

Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) is often referred to as 'Gumboro Disease', named after Gumboro, Delaware, the town in which it was first recognized in 1962. IBD is one of the most widely recognised diseases affecting chickens globally and is a major cause of immunosuppression and mortality. Today, vaccination, using vector vaccine technology, is an effective way to control IBD disease and help improve poultry production parameters.

Further Reading

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Find out more information on infectious bursal disease (IBD) by clicking here.