Routine virus isolation or detection in the diagnosis of diseases in birds.

Between August 1986 and July 1987, 373 submissions for laboratory diagnosis of suspected virus diseases of birds were received. In 116 cases (31%) viruses were isolated or detected, consisting of 25 reo-viruses, 17 rotaviruses, 14 adenoviruses plus demonstration of haemorrhagic enteritis virus antigen in the spleens of 15 birds, eight pox-viruses, 19 duck enteritis herpesviruses and six other avian herpes-viruses, four duck hepatitis viruses, six other enterovirus-like isolates, two duck astroviruses and two avian infectious bronchitis viruses.