Marek's Disease

[tess]

Does anyone out there know more about this disease.? I have done the usual internet searches and come up with alot of information but really need to know if there is anywhere we can buy small quantities of vaccine to guard against it.

[Jen]

Thanks for bringing this disease to our attention, its a nasty one. Has anyone heard of any cases of this recently and how common it is in WA?

I read one site that was straight to the point and easy to understand...

Prevention:
Although vaccines are commonly used in the commercial poultry industry, small numbers of doses cannot be purchased for use in backyard flocks.

For backyard flocks, the best protection against Marek’s disease is obtained by buying, from a commercial source, birds that have been correctly vaccinated.

Vaccination alone will not prevent Marek's disease. Particularly for commercial flocks, it is important to have good biosecurity to ensure that vaccinated chicks will develop immunity before they are subjected to a severe challenge of virus. For example, chicks need to be reared separately so that they are free from the infected fluff and dust of older birds. Standard hygiene measures are also important, including a thorough clean-out and disinfection of sheds and equipment between batches of chicks with a disinfectant effective against viruses. Good nutrition and maintenance of freedom from other diseases and parasites are also very important. These practices will help maintain the flock’s health and to ensure that the birds have optimum resistance against Marek’s disease infection.

For flocks with a serious Marek’s disease problem, the only solution is to depopulate, clean and disinfect all sheds and equipment, and spell for several months. Vaccinated chicks from a reputable hatchery would then need to be sought as replacements.

www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/CART-6PTVYH?open

ALSO found a massive amount of imformation on it here...
forum.backyardpoultry.com/viewtopic.php?t=1318

Unfortunately there seems to be very little advice anywhere on where you might purchase a vaccine. If you want to do this I suggest you ring your nearest avian vet and ask if they know. Or Matt and Peter might know even. They are a wealth of information we are luckily able to siphon off regularly!