Duck Virus Enteritis (DVE), commonly known as duck plague, is a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease affecting ducks.

Etiology: herpesvirus-1.

This disease is most likely to affect mature ducks, but is also seen in young ducks. Affected birds show sluggishness, ruffled feathers, greenish-yellow diarrhea that is sometime blood-stained. Dead birds often have blood-stained feathers around the vent and blood dripping from the nostrils. Hemorrhages may be found in tissues throughout the body. Eruptive lesions of the mucous lining of the esophagus and intestine are characteristic signs of the disease. Necrotic plaques may be observed in the cloaca. Regular immunization of breeder ducks with an attenuated live duck virus enteritis vaccine provides adequate protection.

Duck virus enteritis is most common in young ducks and is spread through contact with infected birds or their feces.

Clinical signs:

-Ducks infected with DVE may exhibit symptoms like loss of appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, and neurological signs.

➡️Prevention and control:

- Primarily strict biosecurity measures, including:

-  controlling access to the flock,

 - limiting contact with wild waterfowl,

-  disinfecting regular equipment and living areas.

➡️ Vaccination

-  Vaccination against DVE is available and recommended in high-risk areas or for valuable breeding stock.

A live vaccine is available to control DVE in birds over 2 weeks of age and ducks gain active immunity when vaccinated subcutaneously or intramuscularly.