Aiming to detect antibodies to avian pneumovirus, 960 serum samples were collected from 48 chicken broiler flocks (20 samples per flock) pertaining to 23 counties in the Planalto Médio Region of RS. Antibodies were detected using a commercially available ELISA. Among the samples analyzed, only 5 (0.52%) were considered positive to the presence of antibodies to avian pneumovirus. The positive samples were detected in 5 (10.4%) of the 48 flock studied, and in 5 (21.74%) distinct counties. Considering the low rate of reacting samples, it could be speculated that the region studied might be free of avian pneumovirus and that the positive samples could be considered as single reactors.
avian pneumovirus; swollen head syndrome; serology; broiler chickens
