An outbreak of pulmonary aspergillosis in emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) chicks

Pulmonary aspergillosis in 5 week old emu chicks with 60 and 53.33 per cent of morbidity and mortality was reported. On gross examination, numerous small greyish yellow nodules were seen on the lungs and air sacs. Microscopically a granulomatous inflammatory reaction associated with fungal hyphae was observed in lung parenchyma and air sacs. The gross and microscopic lesions, in combination with the mycological identification provided the diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis due to A. fumigatus. Contaminated litter was identified as a source of infection. The disease was controlled by removal of primary source of infection and treating the affected birds with copper sulphate through drinking water.