An Outbreak of Coccidiosis in Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagridis)

Coccidiosis an enteric parasitic disease is caused by multiple species of a wide variety of single cell enteric apicomplexan protozoan parasite, Eimeria. It is one of the most common infectious diseases affecting the poultry industry worldwide. An outbreak of coccidiosis in Guinea fowl maintained in an organized poultry farm was recorded with an average mortality of 30–42%. The managerial condition of Guinea fowl was not up to standard. Affected birds revealed clinical signs comprised of dullness, depression and bloody diarrhoea. At necropsy, pale appearance of the muscles, ballooning of both the caecal tubes and blood tinged contents along with thickened mucosa were found in the affected birds. Microscopic examination of intestinal scraping exhibited occidial oocyst. histopathologically oocysts were detected in intestinal mucosa. On the basis of clinical signs, necropsy and microscopic findings it was confirmed as coccidiosis.