TWENTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL REFORT OF FULLORUM 

 DISEASE ERADICATION IN MASSACHUSETTS 



1947-48 



By the Poultry Disease Control Laboratory^ 



INTRODUCTION 



PuUorum disease eradication in Massachusetts continues to show progress. 

 During the 1947-48 testing season jnore samples were tested than in any previous 

 season. The average percentage of positive tests was less than for the previous 

 six years. Furthermore 96.5 percent of all the birds tested were in 100 percent 

 tested, non-reacting flocks, the largest percentage on record. Although these 

 increases may be small; yet the trend shows definite progress toward reducing 

 pullorum infection in Massachusetts breeding flocks. It is hoped that the poultry 

 industry will continue to employ every possible eflfective means in further elim- 

 inating pullorum disease from this State. 



During the past year splendid cooperation has been received from flock own- 

 ers. This has enabled the laboratory to render more satisfactory service. The 

 early testing of flocks has facilitated the testing program so that there was no 

 marked congestion of testing during October, Novemb».r, and December, and 

 the majority' of flocks was tested before the first of January. A more satisfactory 

 and efficient service can be attained when more adequate laboratory facilities 

 are procured. It is hoped that flock owners will continue to cooperate toward 

 establishing and maintaining flocks free of pullorum disease. 



We wish to express appreciation for the assistance given by the Extension 

 Service, the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture, and other agencies in 

 making this program a success. 



SUMMARY OF SERVICE RENDERED 



Applications received 636 



Applications cancelled 31 



Flocks tested - - 605 



Chicken flocks 494 



Chicken and turkey flocks _... 9 



Turkey flocks 71 



Pheasant flocks 29 



Pheasant and chicken flocks 2 



Number of tests 1,297,111 



Chickens: 



Routine -- 1,240,336 



Experimental 32,211 



Fowl other than chickens: 



Routine - - 24,538 



Experim.ental 26 



Owners receiving necropsy service - 86 



Necropsies of reacting birds .— — 180 



' Poultry Disease Control Laboratory Staff: H. Van Roekel. Research Professor; K. L. Bullis, 

 Research Professor; G. H. Snoeyenbos, Research Professor; O. S. Flint, Assistant Research Pro- 

 fessor; F. C.. Tperlinp, Assistart Research Professor: Miram K. Clarke, Assistant Research Pro- 

 fessor; O. M. Olesiuk, Re.=earch Assistant; E. M. Allen, Research Assistant. Appreciation is ex- 

 tended to Dr. J. B. Lentz, Head of the Department of Veterinary Science, for the assistance given 

 t o the testing work. 



