Severe outbreak of Marek's disease in crested partridges (Rollulus rouloul)

MAREK'S disease (MD) is a well-recognised disease in poultry worldwide caused by gallid herpesvirus 2 (GaHV-2), also known as Marek's disease virus serotype 1 (MDV-1), and can result in significant losses in poultry. Following the introduction of MD virus (MDV) vaccines, the losses have been substantially reduced in commercial poultry, although disease is still regularly diagnosed in unvaccinated birds, such as backyard chickens. Apart from chickens, the disease has been described in turkeys (Deuchande and others 2012), Japanese quails (Pennycott 2000, Pennycott and others 2003), pheasants (Pennycott 2000) and most recently in crested partridges (Rollulus rouloul) in Belgium (Haesendonck and others 2015). By reporting our experience, we would like to raise awareness of the disease in this species and other fancy poultry and gamebirds.