An Occurrence of Duck Virus Hepatitis in Korea

국내(國內) 오리의 바이러스성(性) 간염(肝炎) 발생(發生)

An outbreak of duck virus hepatitis was confirmed for the first time in Korea from ducklings having up to 40~65% mortality in less than 15-day-old ducklings of two farms located in the vicinity of Kwangju city. The infected ducks showed sudden death and opisthotonus position. The predominant gross lesions were found in the liver, showing enlargement and petechial or ecchymotic hemorrhages. The microscopic findings were consisted of fatty changes and necrosis of the hepatic cells, and proliferation of the bile duct epithelium. The presence of the virus was detected by electron microscopy of the sera and livers of infected ducks. The duck embryo and the ducks inoculated with the liver materials from the infected ducks showed the same lesions with those of the naturally infected ducks.