Mareks should be easy enough to confirm or rule out on a necropsy.
has any chick has a POSITIVE dx of Mareks? more than just 'sounds like'
Everything I have found is that the only way to get a postivie dx of Mareks is the following.
one web here - found the following.
http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/CART-6PTVYH?open#Diagnosis
""""""Veterinary examination is necessary to diagnose Mareks disease. The clinical signs, combined with post-mortem findings, will confirm the diagnosis in most cases, and, most importantly, rule-out other diseases. Enlargement of nerves such as the sciatic nerve are commonly seen at post-mortem. Changes in one or more internal organs may also be observed."""""""""
and more in Mareks - same web page
"""Methods of Spread
Mareks disease virus occurs commonly wherever chickens are raised and most chickens probably become infected. The virus is highly infectious and once introduced into a flock, it spreads rapidly to unvaccinated birds.
Infected chickens carry the virus for life whether they develop the disease or not, and continue to shed the virus for long periods. The virus is shed from the feather follicles and spreads readily in fluff and dust, gaining entry when the bird breathes infected dust particles. This material can also be carried by people and equipment.
The virus can survive in the environment for as long as several months at room temperature. It is not spread from the hen to the chicken through the egg.""""
in addtion, same web page - more good informatoin.
"""""""""""""""Prevention
Although vaccines are commonly used in the commercial poultry industry, small numbers of doses cannot be purchased for use in backyard flocks.
For backyard flocks, the best protection against Mareks disease is obtained by buying, from a commercial source, birds that have been correctly vaccinated.
Vaccination alone will not prevent Marek's disease. Particularly for commercial flocks, it is important to have good biosecurity to ensure that vaccinated chicks will develop immunity before they are subjected to a severe challenge of virus. For example, chicks need to be reared separately so that they are free from the infected fluff and dust of older birds. Standard hygiene measures are also important, including a thorough clean-out and disinfection of sheds and equipment between batches of chicks with a disinfectant effective against viruses. Good nutrition and maintenance of freedom from other diseases and parasites are also very important. These practices will help maintain the flocks health and to ensure that the birds have optimum resistance against Mareks disease infection. """"""""""
CS
