Thought Avian Flu Was the Only Threat? Meet ILT – The Silent Killer in Poultry Farms
Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT) is a fast-spreading, deadly respiratory disease in poultry that can quietly cripple meat production—detection, vaccination, and biosecurity are your best defense.
What is ILT?
ILT (Infectious Laryngotracheitis) is a contagious respiratory disease caused by a herpesvirus that mainly affects chickens. It causes severe breathing issues and, in some outbreaks, high death rates—even in healthy birds.
Why Meat Producers Should Worry
Kills Fast: Mortality can hit 50% or more in severe outbreaks.
Invisible Spreaders: Birds that recover become carriers for life, silently infecting others.
Production Loss: Slower growth, reduced feed conversion, and egg drop in layers.
Costly Cleanups: Outbreaks lead to downtime and disinfection costs.
What to Look For
Gasping, coughing, head stretching to breathe
Bloody mucus in drinkers or on walls
Swollen, teary eyes and nasal discharge
Sudden drop in performance or eggs
How It Spreads
Bird-to-bird contact
Contaminated equipment, clothing, or vehicles
Airborne between close farms
Latent infections reactivated by stress
How It's Diagnosed
PCR testing for the virus
Tissue exams for typical lesions (e.g. trachea damage, blood clots)
How to Protect Your Flock
Vaccination
Live vaccines via eye drops or water during outbreaks
Hatchery vaccines using viral vectors like HVT or fowlpox
Biosecurity
Clean boots, clothes, and tools
Control pests and wild birds
Limit farm visitors and traffic
Smart Management
Avoid mixing vaccinated with unvaccinated birds
Reduce stress through proper housing and handling
No Human Risk
ILT is not a zoonotic disease—humans cannot catch it. But the economic risk to poultry operations is very real.
Final Takeaway
ILT is a hidden threat that can devastate a flock faster than you'd expect. Don’t wait until it’s too late—get serious about ILT control with smart vaccination, strong biosecurity, and early detection.
Sources: