Can Ducks Get Marek’s Disease? Yes, But Rarely!
Considered as a fowl paralysis or MDV, chickens are more susceptible to face Marek’s disease but not the ducks. But Marek’s disease can be transmitted through flocks, so ducks can be at risk as they stay together in the poultry. You can ensure it by seeing them weak, paralyzed, or they can even die.
However, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania says it’s quite common, mostly in backyard or commercial poultry. The poultry loss becomes more noticeable as affected ducks die or the production level reduces. Although it’s fatal, I’ll try to sort out Marek’s Disease influences on ducks’ lives.
5 Possible Symptoms Of Marek’s Disease In Ducks
As I said, Marek’s disease can be passed on to ducks, which are nerve enlargement and T-cell lymphomas. Usually, such viruses target chickens, turkeys, and quail. And rarely it can spread to ducks as it’s contagious. It happens when they stay together.
The video may clear it out!
You may not know that such a virus grows inside the poultries’ feather follicles and spreads all over the nearby environment. It is basically caused by alphaherpesvirus or Gallid alphaherpesvirus 2 (GaHV-2). According to the NCBI report, white-fronted geese were found to have the MDV-1 virus but not in other wild birds.
MDV disease is mostly notable in chickens, but you need to consider the fact of checking Marek’s disease in ducks as well. It’s especially when ducks stay together. To make it clear, check the common symptoms of Marek’s diseases in poultry.
There is no clear research or understanding about Marek’s disease in ducks. Even the forum discussion says mostly avian species like chickens, quail, or turkeys are in danger. It’s what comes from the Merck Veterinary Manual.
But I guess if ducks get affected, they’ll face the same problems as chickens do. Here are 5 symptoms discussed below.
1. Paralysis
When occurring as a nervous form, if ducks get Marek’s disease, you may see progressive paralysis problems or weakness. You’ll notice in their limbs, wings, legs, or even neck. Notably, the sciatic nerve gets affected in birds, so they become unable to stand.
2. Eye Abnormalities
Although I see chickens having changes in the color of the iris, ducks can have the same problem. There is a risk of blindness as well.
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3. Tumors
When such disease is in visceral form, chickens or susceptible ducks may have tumors in their internal organs. Internal organs like the heart, liver, kidney, ovaries, or spleen get affected by such viruses.
4. Behavioral Change Or Other Sickness
When ducks become sick due to MDV, you’ll see them depressed, less active, and losing appetite and weight. Besides, you’ll notice pale combs (Anaemia), dehydration (shrunken combs), or diarrhea problems.
5. Death
The most cruel fact is such diseases can sometimes not show any symptoms or signs but kill the ducks. In fact, most birds die if they catch Marek’s disease!
5 Marek’s Disease Treatment And Prevention For Ducks
Unfortunately, there is no treatment for Marek’s disease. However, let me give you some suggestions to prevent the MDV problem in ducks or chickens.
1. Isolate Your Ducks
First, isolate your affected ducks from the rest of the chickens and ducks group. At least other ducks won’t get the virus.
2. Vaccinating Your Ducks Can Resist the Disease
One thing I appreciate and suggest is giving vaccines to the affected poultry. Presently, the popular Marek’s Disease vaccines are HVT, CVI988/Rispens, SB-1, or 301B/1. Such vaccines can resist the poultry duck from the virus.
As an extra tip, ensure your poultry has a vaccine with live cells, as it won’t be neutralized by the ducks’ defense.
3. Ensure Stress-Free Environment
Your ducks are sick, so ensure they’re away from other flocks of ducks and chickens. As I said, it can kill the poultry, so be sure to provide some supportive care to them.
For example, offer a nutritional diet or clean water. Also, biosecurity measures must be confirmed for them.
4. Relieving From Pain
If you see ducks having pain, you can offer anti-inflammatory or pain relieving medicines to alleviate their pain.
5. Euthanasia Is a Saver
Often, the vet usually euthanizes the ducks to relieve them from suffering or from an unlikely recovery.
However, I discussed all these things for the rare case, as ducks usually don’t have such a disease. So, don’t get afraid and talk to the vet. It can be some other reason that your ducks are sick.
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Can Ducklings Get Marek’s Disease?
Yes, when ducklings stay on the same farm together with chicks, they can have Marek’s Disease. In reality, young chicks are more defenseless against MDV Marek’s Disease. It usually happens within 8 to 20 weeks after the birth.
However, veterinarians or avian experts will take care of it. I suggest ensuring biosecurity practices and preventing the ducklings from direct contact with the chicks with such viruses.
Do Wild Ducks Get Marek’s Disease?
Yes, possibly. But mostly, the flock of ducks or purebred birds from the backyard, like chickens, are exposed to Marek’s disease virus. It’s necessary to understand if a bird inhales dander from an infected bird, the strain can be transmitted easily.
Recommended Reading: 14 Common Duck Diseases
Bottom Line
Ducks can have Marek’s disease, but it’s only when the virus gets transmitted from chickens. In general, MDV is a chicken disease, so your ducks are safe until they meet the virus-affected ducks. Unfortunately, there is no treatment after the ducks or chickens get affected. But markets have some effective vaccines to relieve their pain.
So, ensure you keep the prevention suggestion in mind. And at least keep the ducks away from the affected poultry and ensure extra care for the poultry with Marek’s Disease.
Sources And references:
- https://nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/animal-biosecurity/animal-health/poultry-and-pigeons/mareks-disease
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/mareks-disease
