Hi Everyone,
I'd like to give some input on several recent questions. First of all I have a Medical background and a knowledge of "infection control". Yes, when animals are exposed to a viral infection they rely on 1) their own immune system to fight off a possible infection, 2) immunity due to vaccination and 2) an environment where the virus doesn't overwhelm them. I feel a good system for prevention and control would be to vaccinate all birds at one day of age, vaccinate all others regardless of age and vaccinate/quarantine any new unvaccinated birds. Absolutely, I would advise separating any symptomatic birds. Remember that even a good immune system can only fight off so much of the virus if it is "overwhelmed" with the virus. If you were to go into a small room, with someone who had a severe cold - also viral, and spent the day with them, you would have a high probability you would catch the cold.
Another thing to do is disinfect with a diluted "Oxine" solution. This along with the Marek's vaccination can be purchased from First State Vet Supply. "Oxine" is an antimicrobial and antiviral disinfectant. According to instructions that come with it you can use it three ways:
In the drinking water
As a mist over the birds and premises
Just on the premises
I just cleaned and disinfected all my coops, runs, dishes etc with Oxine. You can also spray into the air to reduce airborne contamination.
After wetting all surfaces, I then used a super fine mist and sprayed the air inside the Coops. I did not inhale any of it
I can't stress enough that you should vaccinate everyone, even if they've had previous exposure. According to Dr Peter Brown he recommends dividing the virus (dry powder) into four parts - keep everything refrigerated. Then, in a clean glass jar, put the vaccine and add 50 ml of the diluent. You will need the following: 10 cc or larger sterile syringe/needle for measuring the diluent, several tuberculin syringes and a sterile needle for each bird. The needles are tiny - 28 gauge. The tuberculin syringe measures a total of one cc, in increments of 1/10. The dosage per bird is 0.2 cc just under the skin at the base of the neck. Dr Brown stressed that it will not hurt them. The vaccine is live Turkey Herpes Virus. Once reconstituted, the vaccine is only good for two to two and one half hours and then must be discarded.
I feel so badly for anyone with affected birds, but we can "attack" the problem by following the above recommendations. Yes breed for resistance - good strong immune systems and natural resistance, but also vaccinate! It is so preventable with the vaccine and very inexpensive.
