DECREASED EGG-PRODUCTION IN TURKEYS EXPERIMENTALLY INFECTED WITH EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS-VIRUS OR HIGHLANDS J-VIRUS

Turkey breeder hens were experimentally infected with strains of easte rn equine encephalitis (EEE) virus or Highlands J (HJ) virus previousl y isolated from turkey hens experiencing decreased egg production. Dep ression and inappetance were observed on day 1 postexposure (PE) in he ns inoculated with either EEE virus or HJ virus, and egg production fe ll in each virus-inoculated group from approximately 75% to less than 20% within 2-3 days PE. Egg production remained depressed (less than 2 0%) for 15 days in EEE-virus-inoculated hens and for 7 days in HJ-viru s-inoculated hens. EEE virus and HJ virus were recovered from various tissues on days 1-5 PE, and virus was detected in eggs laid on days 2- 5 PE. The findings of this study confirm that EEE virus and HJ virus a re potential causes of decreased egg production in turkey breeder hens .