PREVALENCE OF RESPIRATORY AND LYMPHOTROPI C VIRUSES IN TURKEYS IN BELGIUM

During the winter of 1995-1996 blood was collected from 325 turkeys or iginating from 13 Belgian turkey fattening farms (25 samples/farm) at slaughter, Antibodies against paramyxovirus (PMV) 1, 2 en 3, influenza virus A, turkey rhinotracheitis virus, the antigenically related herp esviruses (Marek's disease virus and turkey herpesvirus) as well as in fectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) serotype 1 and 2 were traced. The turkey rhinotracheitis virus and either Marek's disease virus or turk ey herpesvirus had circulated on all farms. Antibodies against influen za virus A were detected in turkeys from 3 farms and antibodies agains t IBDV serotype 2 were found in turkeys from 2 farms. None of the floc ks had been infected with PMV-2, PMV-3 and IBDV serotype 1. The interp retation of the serological results for PMV-1 was difficult due to the compulsory vaccination against PMV-1. The serological results are sim ular to those found in other European countries.