Duck Viral Hepatitis

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Duck viral hepatitis (DVH) is a disease that mostly affects ducklings under 4 weeks of age. Older ducks that become infected with this virus have a much better chance of survival, and the symptoms are less severe. It's important to note that DVH is rare in the United States and is a reportable disease. If you suspect DVH, contact your poultry veterinarian or state veterinary office for assistance.

Transmission

The most common route of transmission of DVH is fecal-oral: ducklings ingest the virus from contaminated feces. Transmission can also occur from direct contact with infected birds or secondary contact via boots, hands, contaminated clothing on caretakers, or contaminated brooder or brooder supplies. In rare cases, DVH can be transmitted through the egg. Our waterfowl breeder flocks are vaccinated against salmonella only and are monitored continuously by NPIP and state vet officials who oversee and test the health of our flock and processes. They are clean, healthy, and biosecure. 

Symptoms

Initial symptoms of ducks affected with DVH are general malaise, a reluctance to move, and decreased appetite. As the illness progresses, spasms of the legs, head, and neck may occur. Once infected, the incubation period is 24 hours, and ducklings usually die within 3-4 days after infection. 

Treatment

Since DVH is caused by a virus, antibiotics will not be helpful for the disease itself. In some cases, a veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics to treat any secondary bacterial infections while an animal is sick with a virus.

Supportive therapy includes isolating the sick duck in its own hospital cage away from the rest of your ducks. Keep the infected duck warm and allow easy access to food and water. Little can be done to treat the illness with medications.

Prevention

Isolation of any new ducklings from your existing flock is the most important first step in preventing young ducklings from contracting this disease. Keep your new ducklings away from adult ducks for at least 4 weeks.

A vaccine is available for commercial duck breeding flocks. The vaccine is not readily available for backyard flock owners for small-scale use. Purchasing your ducklings from a commercial hatchery may help ensure that your ducklings have some short-term acquired immunity from their mother.

What else presents as HVD?

There are a few other diseases that can present similarly to VDH, but they are all also very unlikely. The most likely thing would be a Vitamin E deficiency--the symptoms are incoordination, tremors, especially of the head and neck, "stargazing," falling on their backs and being unable to right themselves, paralysis in severe cases, and sudden death without obvious external signs.