Study of an outbreak of duck cholera

An outbreak of duck cholera was studied in an organised duck farm of Odisha. Detailed necropsy examinations of dead birds were conducted. Epicardial haemorrhage, pulmonary oedema, necrotic foci in the liver and catarrhal enteritis were the principal gross lesions observed. Cultural and biochemical examination of the heart blood and tissue impression smear confirmed the organism as Pasteurella multocida. Microscopically, congestion of central vein and sinusoids, cellular infiltration, degenerative and necrotic changes of hepatocytes were the predominant changes in the liver. Microscopic changes in other organs have been described.