Viral attacks weaken the human immune system, and AIDS is one of the best-known viral diseases of people. Chickens have a similar disease, called gumboro. In an infected chicken, immunity falls to zero and the bird dies. Here are the signs of gumboro, the "AIDS of chickens", and how it is treated.

Gumboro is a viral disease. It kills large numbers of broiler, cock, Sonali and layer chickens in Bangladesh. Besides the deaths, an affected flock suffers immunosuppression, which is why the disease is called the AIDS of chickens. Such flocks never give the results hoped for.

Ciprofloxacin 10% can be used as an antibiotic. It mixes into the blood quickly and stays in the body for a long time, so it starts working fast. It should be given in the drinking water at 1 ml per litre, continuously for 3–5 days in a row.

Any good organic acid can be used at the dose the company recommends. Organic acids help remove urates from the kidneys. Vinegar can be used for this.

Source: Staff Correspondent. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.