Egg Drop Syndrome’76

Description

There are many causes of a sudden drop in egg production of domestic fowl. This particular disease is caused by a haemagglutinating adenovirus and manifests as a loss of shell pigmentation, production of soft-shelled and shell-less eggs, and a sudden drop in egg production lasting several weeks. There are no other significant clinical signs in affected birds. Experimental infection reveals oedema and inflammatory exudate in the shell-gland. The virus is derived from ducks, geese and muscovies, but once introduced into chickens can be spread vertically and horizontally via contaminated eggs, on equipment (including egg trays), and in faeces etc; although lateral spread in caged layers may be slow. Vaccination of pullets is a widely practiced, effective preventive strategy. Infection in ducks is probably associated with reduced shell quality and reduced egg production.

Diagnosis and tests available

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on a sudden drop in egg production in non-vaccinated chickens, associated with poorly pigmented, thin-shelled and shell-less eggs. Histology of field cases is not reliable; virus isolation is not required.

Tests available

Test	Sample(s) required	Days of the week test is conducted	Turnaround time¹
Egg drop syndrome virus HI Test	Clotted bood (red top tube)	Within 1-2 days of receipt	Up to 7D²
Egg drop syndrome VNT	Clotted blood (red top tube) or lithium heparin blood (green top tube)	Batch tested Wednesday & Friday	1 week²

¹Turnaround times are provided as a guide only. For specific information about your submission please contact Customer Service.
²Confirmation testing of positives may affect turnaround time.

Note

Fees for tests undertaken to confirm or exclude a diagnosis of Egg drop syndrome’76 are paid by NSW Department of Primary Industries. Extra testing to establish an alternative diagnosis is at submitters’ expense.

Additional Information

Specimen requirements

Blood (with anti-coagulant)
10 ml of blood (including at least 2 ml of serum) from each of at least ten affected birds Collected into a lithium heparin tube Submit chilled
Blood (without anti-coagulant)
10 ml of blood (including at least 2 ml of serum) collected into a plain red top tube Submit chilled

Customer Service

Contact Customer Service for enquiries relating to testing and results, quotations and pricing, couriers, sample submission and invoicing.

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CONTACT DETAILS
Phone	1800 675 623
Email	laboratory.services@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Operating Hours	8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays) 8:30am-12:00pm Saturday (for deliveries only)
Postal Address	Private Bag 4008, Narellan NSW 2567

Quotations

For Animal export, Plant health or Veterinary quotations, please complete the online quotation request

For Edible oil & oilseed or Feed quality quotations and pricing enquiries, please contact DPI AgEnviro Labs at Wagga Wagga on (02) 6938 1957

For Plant nutrition, Soil health or Water quality quotations and pricing enquiries, please contact DPI AgEnviro Labs at Wollongbar on (02) 6626 1103

Submission Forms

Veterinary Specimen Advice Form

Please Note: These documents are not fully web accessible, please contact Customer Service (laboratory.services@dpi.nsw.gov.au) for more information.

Courier services and specimen delivery

For NSW submissions, please contact the relevant Customer Service team for courier account details and to order consignment notes.

For submitters outside of NSW, Couriers can be contacted directly to make bookings and arrange collection of packages at the submitters own cost.

Commercial couriers may use either road or air transport and specimens should therefore be packed in accordance with International Air Transport Association (IATA) requirements. Most submission sent by veterinarians to the SVDL for testing are defined as “Biological Substance Category B” and must be packed according to the IATA packing instructions 650 (Biological Substance Category B). As requirements for transport can change, customers should consult with their transport agent to obtain current requirements.

Samples may also be hand delivered to the site during normal business hours (8.30am - 4.30pm).

Sample Type	Laboratory	Street Address
Animal (including aquatic animals)	NSW Animal and Plant Health Laboratories (APHL)	EMAI, Woodbridge Road, Menangle NSW 2568