The present work investigated the susceptibility of goslings to infection with Duck Hepatitis Virus type-1 (DHV-1) and their possible role for hazard spread of infection to ducklings. It was noticed that experimentally infected one-week old goslings were susceptible to infection with DHV-1 showing clinical signs started by the 4th day post infection detected in 4 out 10 goslings represented by dullness and weakness. Two goslings were recovered, and other 2 birds were died one-week post infection. In contact ducklings showed classical signs of DHV-1 infection represented by weakness and sudden death. DHV-1 was recovered from liver, spleen and kidneys of experimentally dead birds. Survived goslings exhibited detectable neutralizing antibody titers by the 1st week post infection. Vaccination of goslings with the live attenuated DHV-1 vaccine resulted in good immune response of high antibody levels up to 10 weeks post vaccination. So, it could be said that goslings were susceptible to DHV-1 and may play a role in transmission of DHV-1 to duckling and it could be recommended to vaccinate gosling against DHV-1 infection |
