Abstract

Duck hepatitis A virus (DHAV) causes duck viral hepatitis (DVH), an acute viral disease that affects young ducks and
is marked by rapid and severe liver damage as well as high mortality. This disease spreads quickly within a population
and mostly affects ducks younger than 3 weeks of age. DHAV is a non-enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded
RNA virus belonging to the Picornaviridae family that causes widespread hepatic necrosis due to its strong hepatocyte
tropism. The fecal-oral route is the main method of transmission, and contaminated habitats, drinking water, feed, and
fomites are the sources of infection. Clinically, DVH is peracute, with few symptoms before death, which frequently
makes field detection challenging. Degeneration, congestion, and widespread hepatocellular necrosis are common
pathological liver alterations. A combination of clinical observation, pathological lesion evaluation, and molecular
confirmation, such as reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), is used to make the diagnosis. Since
no specific antiviral treatment is currently available, management concentrates on control and supportive measures
such as immunization, biosecurity, and appropriate husbandry practices. To provide initial protection by maternal
antibody transmission, vaccination of the duck is essential. DVH has a substantial economic impact due to greater
mortality, decreased productivity, and higher disease control expenses. Therefore, efforts to prevent and control this
disease in duck production systems require a thorough understanding of its characteristics.

Key words: Acute viral disease; Biosecurity; Duck viral hepatitis; Ducks; Liver necrosis.