| Author |
Y. S. Lu, Y. L. Lee, F. I. Wang, D. F. Lin, C. H. Wang, H. J. Tsai, C. Lee and S. T. Huang
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| Summary |
In March 1982, a disease with sudden onset, rapid spread and high mortality (higher than 90%) among 5 to 21-day-old goslings in Taiwan was reported. Infected goslings usually died within 7 days after onset of the disease. Occasionally, 40 to 60-day-old goslings were infected. Epidemiological investigation revealed that total of 451 goose farms located in 126 countries or towns of 16 counties were infected. Total of 341,182 goslings were infected, among which 312,692 died.
Twelve strains of virus were isolated from moribund or dead goslings. The isolated virus was an icosahedral virus, 24nm in diameter as studied by electron microscope. The virus was pathogenic to chicken embryo, goose embryo and goslings. The virus could multiply on goose embryo fibroblast and goose embryo liver cell.
Viral antigens were demonstrated in nucleus of the infected cell as studied by fluorescence antibody technique.
For the emergent treatment of the disease, sera of the tolerated geese were collected and then injected into day-old goslings with the dose of 0.5ml. Total of 400,000 goslings were inoculated. This emergent treatment could attain nearly 100% protective effect and sucessfully declined the occurence of the disease in Taiwan.
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