Authorities in Canada have reported a series of outbreaks of metapneumovirus (AMPV)in turkeys and chickens to the World Organization for Animal Health. The 10 cases in Ontario involved four commercial chicken farms and the remainder turkeys. Manitoba has reported one incident case in turkeys. Isolates from Ontario yielded MPV-B variant from nine farms and one case of MPV-A with this same variant from Manitoba.
In turkeys AMPV is referred to as turkey rhinotracheitis presenting clinically as an upper respiratory infection with swollen heads. Egg production in mature turkey flocks drops sharply with a deterioration in shell quality. Broiler chickens demonstrate a similar syndrome to turkeys with pronounced swelling of the subcutaneous tissues of the head. Laying hens are either asymptomatic or show mild respiratory signs with depressed egg production.