Occurrence: Worldwide, wherever turkeys are raised.
Species affected: Turkeys (most common) and chickens.
Age affected: 4 weeks or older.
Causes: HE virus is a double stranded DNA Adenovirus.
Effects: Incubation period is less than 24 hours. Depression, bloody droppings, dark red to brownish blood on the skin and feathers around the vent can be seen. Mortality is 10-80%.
Haemorrhagic enteritis (HE)
Turkeys of 4 weeks or older may develop this acute viral disease. HE virus is an unenveloped, icosahedral, double-stranded DNA virus. It replicates in the nucleus forming basophilic inclusion bodies (viral factories seen under light microscope).