Viral hepatitis in domestic geese in Saskatchewan

Up to 25% mortality occurred in goslings between 8 and 28 days of age in three sequential hatches from a closed breeder flock on a single farm. The birds died suddenly with minor ascites, subcutaneous and myocardial hemorrhages, and pale, mottled livers with petechial hemorrhages. Liver necrosis associated with intranuclear inclusion bodies was seen on histology. Virus particles were found on examination of the inclusion bodies with an electron microscope. Liver homogenates caused variable mortality 7 to 17 days postinoculation in goose embryos, some of which had hepatic necrosis and intranuclear inclusion bodies. Experimental goslings inoculated with material from these infected embryos died from hepatitis.