PULLORUM DISEASE 21 



80. — How should tested flocks be classified as to their pullorum 

 disease status? Tested flocks in reality are either infected or pullorum disease- 

 free. However, in a disease of this nature, it is not always safe to declare a flock 

 free of the disease when only one negative test has been obtained. Therefore, 

 t wo successive negative tests not less than six months nor more than a year 

 apart appear to be a safer index in determining the true status of a flock. Never- 

 theless, a flock which has passed one negative test should be given more recogni- 

 tion than a tested flock which has revealed reactors. The latter flock should be 

 regarded as infected and unsafe for breeding purposes. 



81. — Are other measures aside from the agglutination test important 

 for successful eradication? Yes. The agglutination test is only one step 

 in an eradication program. Prompt removal of reactors and sanitary and pre- 

 ventive measures must be observed in establishing and maintaining a pullorum 

 disease-free flock. 



82. — What is necessary for successful eradication? Successful eradica- 

 tion is based upon the adoption of sound, effective, and uniform methods, prop- 

 erly and skillfully executed. A sound eradication program for the individual 

 flock or for the poultry industry as a whole should include measures that will 

 jirevent the spread of the disease (through various channels as discussed in this 

 bulletin) and permit effective eradication of the disease. The adoption of such 

 methods is no more important than their proper execution. Control officials 

 and poultrymen should not expect to attain their goal in eradication if the meas- 

 ures are not justly put into practice. Too frequently either delay or failure in 

 eradication is due to faulty execution of recommended measures. The following 

 measures should be observed in establishing and maintaining a pullorum disease- 

 free flock : 



It. All birds on the premi.ses should be tested each year. 



/). If infection is present, the entire flock should be retested within 

 four tu six weeks until a negative report is obtained, provided the vahic 

 of the birds justifies the expenditure for testing. 



c. Every reactor, regardless of its value, should be removed from the 

 premises and sold for slaughter immediately upon receipt of the report. 



d. Offal from all birds dressed for market or home consumj^tion as 

 well as dead birds that are not fit for consumption should be burned. 



e. The poultry houses, runs, and equipment, should be thoroughly 

 cleaned and disinfected immediately after removal of reactors. Provide 

 an empty pen to each house to facilitate cleaning and disinfection during 

 the winter months. Use disinfectants approved by the United States 

 Department of Agriculture. 



/. Birds removed from the premises to egg-laying contests, exhibi- 

 tions, etc., should be held in quarantine and determined free of disease 

 before they are re-admitted into the flock. 



g. Purchase of stock in the form of adults, chicks, and eggs should be 

 from known pullorum disease-free flocks. 



//. Eggs should not be saved for hatching until after a flock has been 

 tested and all the infected birds removed. Early pullet testing will permit 

 early hatching. 



