Some epidemiological characteristics of Histomonosis in chicken in some Northern provinces, Viet Nam

Abstract

A total of 1800 chickens (expecting infection with H. meleagridis) in 4 provinces of Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Hung Yen, Vinh Phuc were collected for identifying Histomonosis through the clinical symptoms and autopsy. As a result, 394 chickens were determined to infect with Histomonosis, accounting for 21.89 %. Of which, the highest infection rate (34.90%) was in Bac Giang province, followed by Vinh Phuc province (20.24%), Hung Yen province (17.83%); the lowest infection rate was in Bac Ninh province (13.18%).The infection rate of chickens at different ages was also different, the highest rate was in the chicken at 3 to 4 months old (37.70%), followed by the chickens at 4 months old (31.11%); 1-2 months old (19.57%); the chickens under a month old were not infected with this disease.The infection rate of chickens varied by the seasons. In spring, the infection rate was the highest (33.95%); followed by summer (28.65%); autumn (14.44%) and the lowest infection rate was in winter (10.11%).The infection rate of the chickens with Histomonas meleagridis (H. meleagridis) was 28.54% at the farm raising over 1000 chickens; this rate was 20.97% at the farm raising 500-1000 chickens the lowest rate (16.74%) was at the farm raising less than 500 chickens. The difference of these infection rates were statistically significant (p <0.05).The infection rate of chickens with pinworm (Heterakis gallinarum) was associated with the infection rate of chickens with Histomonosis. The pinworm infection rate of chicken in the studied area was 28.56% ranging from 20.07% to 39.79%.