The Common Respiratory Diseases of Poultry in Bangladesh: Present Status and Future Directions

Abstract
| Poultry industry plays a pivotal role in poverty alleviation and the economic development of Bangladesh. However, poultry diseases are one of the most important limitations to the growth of the sustainable poultry industry in the country. Among these diseases, respiratory diseases are the foremost hazard to sustainable poultry production in Bangladesh. Avian influenza (AI), Newcastle disease (ND), infectious bronchitis (IB), infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT), Avian Metapneumovirus (AMPV), infectious coryza, fowl cholera and aspergillosis are the most prevalent respiratory diseases in Bangladesh. These diseases are most prevalent in layer, broiler, sonali and backyard chicken. AI outbreak is observed every year since its first report in 2007 in Bangladesh. This virus has mutated several times and thereby changed its genetic clades. The prevalence of ND is highest in October and in 0-3 months aged chickens. AMPV generally infects the upper respiratory tract of poultry, which has been isolated for the first time in Bangladesh in 2016. Alternatively, adult chickens are more susceptible to IB and ILT. The prevalence of mycoplasmosis and aspergillosis are higher during the winter season and are reported to occur due to poor management systems. Overall, respiratory diseases are most common in the country and outbreaks of such diseases appear frequently. Therefore, an integrated approach including strict biosecurity, good farming practices and proper vaccination should be taken into consideration for the prevention of these respiratory diseases to ensure sustainable poultry production in Bangladesh.