EGG-PRODUCTION DROP IN TURKEYS ASSOCIATED WITH ALPHAVIRUSES - EASTERNEQUINE ENCEPHALITIS-VIRUS AND HIGHLANDS J-VIRUS

Alphaviruses were isolated from tracheas of turkey breeders in two Nor th Carolina flocks experiencing a severe drop in egg production. Highl ands J virus was isolated from one of the breeder flocks, in which pro duction decreased by as much as 72.6% in selected houses over a 48-to- 96-hour period. Eastern equine encephalitis virus was isolated from th e second breeder flock, which experienced an egg-production drop of 44 .5%. Clinical signs in both flocks were similar, with inactivity and t he egg-production drop being the only clinical signs observed. Eggs fr om affected breeders were small and white, and a few were soft-shelled . Sera collected from the flocks 2 to 3 weeks after production began d ropping confirmed the presence of antibodies to the viruses recovered. In the first flock, egg production failed to return to above 50%, alt hough heat stress may have played a role in production recovery. The s econd flock was taken out of production and recycled.