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University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna

Histomonosis (syn. blackhead disease) is a fastidious disease in turkeys caused by Histomonas meleagridis. Although less severe, the disease can also appear in chickens and other galliformes. For decades histomonosis was well controlled by efficacious drugs for prophylaxis and therapy. In recent years such drugs were banned or withdrawn from the market leading to an increased number of non-treatable outbreaks with severe suffering of animals and substantial economic losses. Despite the importance and relevance in the field no disease recording system is available so far.

The initiative “blackheaddisease.info“ – a cooperation between the Association of Poultry Processors and Poultry Trade in the EU countries (a.v.e.c.) and the Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine at the University of Veterinary Medicine – should fill this gap in order to provide data for people in the field and scientific institutions. In addition such data are helpful in discussions with authorities about further actions to combat the disease. For this, the contribution of veterinarians, farmers and other people in the field is vital and highly appreciated.

Thank you very much that you spare a couple of minutes to report outbreaks of histomonosis in all kind of poultry species for the advancement of science and everybody’s knowledge. All information will be handled anonymously and will remain strictly confidential. By delivering your e-mail address you will receive regular updates about the outcome of the reporting system.

Kind regards,

Michael Hess

Report outbreak of blackhead disease

Mortality since onset of disease

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The marked areas do correlate with the country but not with the exact region of the outbreak.

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