Leukocytozoon infections. They cause problems in turkeys, only in areas where there are insects that transmit the disease. The protozoan parasites that cause this disease are carried by the black flies of the genus. Simiíium, commonly called buffalo gnats.
Illness
It is spread by the bites of black flies of the genus Similium, commonly called buffalo gnats. The protozoans invade the blood cells of birds, causing “turkey malaria.”
Symptoms
The disease primarily affects poults less than 12 weeks of age. Symptoms include loss of appetite and birds are depressed and sit up. Visible signs do not usually last more than 3 or 4 days, then the birds die or start to recover. Those that recover may show no damage from the disease but may carry the parasite in their blood for many months.
injuriesThe most common lesion in this disease is a slight inflammation of the duodenum. There may be anemia and emaciation. The meat of affected birds becomes friable and the muscles show a brownish coloration. Diagnosis is usually made by microscopic examination of blood from sick birds.
Prevention and Control
In areas where buffalo midges inhabit, little can be done to prevent the disease. The structure of the chicken coops will be made gnat-proof, through the use of cotton cheesecloth. Complete separation of breeders from breeding birds is necessary to prevent the disease from spreading from adults to poults.
