Summary

The accidental incursion of exotic IBDV strains, particularly very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV), poses a serious threat to the Australian Poultry Industry. Increasing Australia’s preparedness for such an event is therefore critical to minimize the possibility of these viruses spreading and becoming endemic. Over the last 25 years we have been monitoring Australian IBDV, confirming that endemic strains remain genetically distinct from overseas IBDV and do not cause any mortalities in SPF birds. In the last 6 years however, we have detected variant strains moving across the border into NSW, rapidly spreading and displacing the classical strains previously present in NSW. Exactly how these variants are spreading is uncertain, but the data suggests that current biosecurity measures may be inadequate. Hence in this proposal we hope to continue monitoring and pathotyping strains circulating in Australia with a focus on understanding how variant strains are spreading. As part of this project, we will also help prepare industry for an incursion of vvIBDV by running a workshop, and consolidating all historical data on Australian IBDV.

Program

Chicken Meat

Research Organisation

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)

Objective Summary

(a) To continue monitoring IBDV field strains circulating in Australia.
(b) To examine the pathogenicity of selected field isolates displaying unusual amino acid changes or associated with poor flock performance in SPF birds.
(c) To determine the most probable means by which variants are spreading in NSW.
(d) To run a workshop looking at the scenario of vvIBDV entering Australia.
(e) To consolidate all historical data on Australian IBDV.