One encodes for an enzyme, photolyase, which allows for the repair of DNA damaged by sunlight, and the other for a protein that shields the virus from environmental damage. In large poultry operations, birds face multiple pathogens. Most birds recover from dry pox within three to five weeks but not without losses in egg production or growth. The scabs from dry pox that fall from infected birds can contain millions of virus particles and survive for months in the poultry environment. Infection can spread into injured or lacerated skin, and by birds inhaling dust containing the particles.
Mosquitoes also can transmit the disease.
Tripathy and his colleagues are researching a new generation of poultry vaccines. Richard Keen News Bureau, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 807 South Wright Street.