Erysipelas

Erysipelas causes acute mortality usually without any previous signs. Mortality can be as high as 50%! In chronic cases skin lesions and lameness may be seen.

The bacteria can stay alive in soil for a long time and birds usually get infected if they are reared on a field where sheep or pigs have previously been. Antibiotics can help reduce the mortality. As Erysipelas is infectious for humans, care should be taken when handling infected birds.