Acute respiratory aspergillosis in commercial ducklings

Sudden onset high mortality was reported in eight‐day‐old Pekin ducklings. Initial investigations failed to confirm a definitive diagnosis due to the lack of gross pathological signs and limited microbiological screening of postmortem samples. Poor quality top‐up bedding was the likely source of the Aspergillus infection, and final mortalities of the flocks were 60 per cent and 52 per cent. Investigation into high‐mortality episodes in ducklings should include microbiological screening for fungal infections even if there are no clinical signs or gross pathological signs on postmortem examination suggestive of Aspergillus . Bedding should be routinely screened for Aspergillus contamination prior to use in neonatal ducklings.