Vertical transmission of duck plague virus (DPV) by apparently healthy DPV carrier waterfowl

Duck plague virus (DPV) was transmitted vertically in muscovy, pekin, and mallard ducks that were persistently infected with the LA-SD-73, MSN-WI-77, or CO-WI-73 isolates of DPV. The effects of vertical transmission on the fertility and hatchability of eggs laid by DPV carrier ducks varied with the DPV isolate and duck species. Fertility was reduced significantly only in eggs laid by MSN-WI-77 virus carrier pekin and muscovy ducks. The hatchability of eggs laid by DPV carrier mallards and muscovies was significantly reduced from that of uninfected control ducks. All ducklings tested that hatched from eggs laid by DPV carrier waterfowl shed DPV in the feces. The DPV carrier ducklings shed DPV in small amounts. Vertical transmission of DPV in domestic flocks can lower fertility and hatchability. In wild waterfowl, vertical transmission may be a means of virus perpetuation from generation to generation.