Fatal avian pox in a backyard flock of domestic ducks in Bangladesh

Abstract

AbstractThis case study describes a fatal avian pox outbreak in a backyard flock of domestic ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) in Bangladesh. A total of six ducks of varying ages were affected and presented with solid tumour‐like masses on the legs. A 6.5‐month‐old female duck was presented for clinical examination, and a 2 cm3 solid, nodular mass was surgically excised from the left leg. Histopathological examination of the tumour mass revealed marked epidermal hyperplasia with ballooning degeneration and eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies, as well as severe proliferation and necrotising dermatitis, with marked heterophilic and histiocytic infiltration. Electron microscopy revealed numerous dumbbell‐shaped virus particles within the intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies on degenerating keratinocytes, confirming Avipoxvirus infection. This is the first case report of avian pox in ducks in Bangladesh.