Swollen head syndrome in Taiwan-isolation of an avian pneumovirus and serological survey.

Outbreaks of swollen head syndrome (SHS) were observed in two broiler and two broiler-breeder farms in Taiwan. The disease was characterized by oedematous swelling of the head, especially surrounding the eyelids, the neck and wattles. Avian pneumovirus and Escherichia coli were isolated from birds in all four farms. In addition, Staphylococcus aureus and infectious bursal disease virus were each isolated from one farm. A serological survey of 398 birds from 11 broiler breeder farms showed 86.4% (344) of them had ELISA antibodies against turkey rhinotracheitis virus.