Aerosol transmission of Pasteurella multocida in turkeys

In three incidents, uninoculated turkeys separated from Pasteurella multocida-inoculated turkeys died of fowl cholera; it was inferred that the pathogen was transmitted by aerosol through the circulating air. Uninoculated and inoculated turkeys were separated by a solid partition and wire netting, and were handled separately. Turkeys were inoculated with a highly virulent strain of P. multocida, which induced the pulmonary form of fowl cholera. In four of the five uninoculated turkeys that died, pneumonia was the principal lesion. In two of these turkeys, which were bled one day before death while still alert, the plasma corticosterone concentration had increased markedly.