There are many diseases that threaten poultry farms, and Gumboro is one of the less common ones but it is still important for us to be aware of what it is and the risks. In this blog, we cover exactly what Gumboro disease is, the symptoms and how an Addfield incinerator is the perfect solution for protecting your farm.
Gumboro disease, also known as Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD), is a highly contagious viral infection that attacks the immune system of young chickens and turkeys, which can devastate entire flocks. Even birds that survive an outbreak are often left more vulnerable to secondary infections and see reduced production performance long after the initial illness has passed.
For poultry and bird farmers, that makes Gumboro more than a short-term health scare, it’s a disease than can seriously affect farms operations for months.
There are some symptoms you may see in your livestock:
- A decrease in mood and symptoms of depression
- White, watery, or loose diarrhoea
- Lethargy and loss of appetite
- Shivering or trembling
- Mortality rates ranging potentially over 50% in severe cases
No region is safe from Gumboro disease, although the strains and risk varies by continent. In Asia, mutations are causing severe immune organ damage even when initial mortality rates are low. Africa carries the highest risk of all, with strains pushing mortality rates above 50% even in vaccinated flocks.
In West Africa, research shows that during the rainy season, the disease peaks on farms, compared to dry seasons. Wet conditions often cause environmental stress and makes farm hygiene harder to maintain.
Vaccination is the first line of defence against Gumboro disease, but the virus is highly resilient, and once it's on-site, every hour infected carcasses sit waiting for third-party collection is another hour it can spread. Transport and handling add exposure a farm can't fully control.
On-site incineration removes that gap. Instead of storing carcasses while waiting for collection, farmers can fully and efficiently destroy infected material onsite, cutting the risk of the virus travelling further and putting biosecurity back in the farm's own hands. For farms in regions where Gumboro disease is a recurring pressure, that control is a practical safeguard for the rest of the flock.
Since 1982, Addfield have been the leading manufacturers for agricultural incineration, with the first ever Addfield machine built for the devastation of the Foot and Mouth disease, and we have been trusted by famers to protect their biosecurity ever since.
For poultry, the Addfield Mini range is the perfect solution. They are top loading incinerators with a 2 second retention time in the secondary chamber that means the gasses are fully cleaned before they are released into the environment.
Farms all over the globe are taking control of their biosecurity with an Addfield agricultural incinerator and so can you.
If you are worried about an outbreak on your farm, get in touch with the agricultural experts at Addfield today.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gumboro disease the same as Infectious Bursal Disease?
Yes. Gumboro disease and Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) are the same condition, just under different names, one common and one clinical.
Which birds are affected by Gumboro disease?
Gumboro disease primarily affects young chickens and turkeys, attacking the immune system before it has fully developed.
Can vaccinated flocks still get Gumboro disease?
Yes. Very virulent strains of Gumboro disease have pushed mortality above 50% even in vaccinated flocks, particularly in parts of Africa.
Why does on-site incineration matter for Gumboro disease control?
On-site incineration destroys infected carcasses immediately, removing the transport and waiting time that would otherwise give the virus more opportunity to spread.
