In the group tested for two consecutive years, considerable increases in flocks, 

 birds, and tests were observed over the previous year. A total of 80 flocks was 

 tested, representing 116,068 tests of which 0.15 percent were positive. Of- these, 

 76 flocks, representing 103,067 birds, were non-reacting. 



Among the group of flocks tested for three or more consecutive years, the re- 

 sults are much the same as those of the previous season. This group is by far 

 the largest of the four groups and has the lowest percentage of positive tests. 



For the four groups as a whole 458 flocks were tested, representing 836,481 

 birds and 943,987 samples, of which 0.12 percent were positive. The 413 flocks 

 which were 100 percent tested and non-reacting contained 776,089 birds or 93 

 percent of the total birds tested. 



The number of positive flocks was the same as the previous season, 27 flocks 

 representing 43,930 birds. The objective of the puUorum eradication program 

 is to reduce the number of infected breeding flocks to as low a minimum as 

 possible. Approximately 5 percent of the birds tested are in positive flocks. 

 Owners of infected flocks are advised not to breed from such flocks until all of 

 the infection has been eliminated from the premises either through intensive 

 retesting or by flock replacement with puUorum-free stock. 



Annual testing of all birds on the premises still remains a sound and effective 

 practice in the control and eradication of pullorum infection. Unfortunately, 

 each year a considerable number of flock owners discontinue testing. Approx- 

 imately 15 percent of the flocks tested in 1943-44 were not tested in 1944-45. 



APPEARANCE OF INFECTION IN FLOCKS PREVIOUSLY NEGATIVE 



The appearance of pullorum infection in previously non-reacting flocks is of 

 great concern to the testing agency, the flock owner, and the hatcheryman. 

 Progress in the eradication of pullorum disease is greatly influenced by the 

 success in maintaining flocks free of the disease after the infection has once been 

 eliminated. 



Table 3 gives the testing results for flocks which had been non-reacting for 

 one or more years but showed infection in 1944-45. Twenty-one "breaks," 

 which is four more than occurred the previous year, are listed. Seventeen of 

 these flocks had less than 0.5 percent reactors. Three flocks revealed more than 

 2 percent reactors. Expressed in number of reactors, 15 flocks had six or less. 

 These figures reveal that the amount of infection detected is very small, in fact 10 

 of these flocks regained their Pullorum Clean rating through one retest, 5 quali- 

 fied for the Pullorum Passed grade, and 6 failed to obtain a negative test. Seven 

 of the "break" flocks had been negative only one year. However, 12 flocks had 

 been negative for five or more consecutive years. 



As to the explanation for the "breaks," the source of infection was unknown 

 in 13 flocks. Purchase of infected or questionable stock, and inadequate pre- 

 ventive measures were responsible for the other eight "breaks." 



A "break" may prove very expensive to the flock owner as well as an added 

 burden to him, to the testing laboratory, and to the official state agency. A 

 good many "breaks" can be avoided by greater care in keeping out infection. 

 It is recognized that under these war-time conditions, adequate facilities and 

 labor for disease prevention may have been curtailed. However in spite of these 

 difficult times, it is hoped that the flock owners and hatcherymen will observe 

 and exercise the following measures: 



1. All the birds on the premises should be tested each year. 



2. If infection is present, the entire flock should be retested within four to 

 six weeks until a negative report is obtained, provided the value of the birds 

 justifies the expenditure. 



