Just earlier today I received an email from the SWBC Club regarding the Paramyxovirus that is affecting pigeons.

 

The following message was enclosed -

MESSAGE TO THE POULTRY INDUSTRY FROM DEPUTY CVO VICTORIA <

 

A paramyxovirus not previously reported in Australia has been detected in hobby pigeons near Shepparton and is the likely cause of pigeon deaths in the north-western suburbs of Melbourne. The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is undertaking investigations to determine possible links between the properties and to detect other affected properties.

 

Affected pigeon flocks have experienced high mortality associated with lethargy, gastrointestinal and neurological signs.

 

There are currently no reported unusual disease events in Australian commercial or backyard poultry flocks, nor in wild birds.

 

As virulent paramayxoviruses isolated from pigeons are capable of infecting poultry, producers should reinforce their biosecurity measures to ensure industry's standard biosecurity measures are in place.

 

As part of these measures, producers should take action to prevent contact between poultry and wild birds or pigeons, both directly and indirectly, for example via feed and water.

 

Owners of commercial flocks should ensure the currency of Newcastle disease vaccination, and workers should be discouraged from keeping poultry, fancy birds or pet birds, including pigeons.

 

The National Farm Biosecurity Manual for Poultry Production provides advice on biosecurity standards relevant to all poultry industry sectors, and includes information on sound everyday biosecurity practices, and a range of useful resources and links. The document is freely available on the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) website at www.daff.gov.au/birds or hard copies can be obtained by contacting DAFF on 026272 5283.

 

If you notice similar signs or high death rates in your flocks please either contact your veterinarian or call DPI on 1800 675 888 so that an investigations into the cause of death can then be undertaken.

 

Regards,

 

Dr Andrew Cameron

DPI

Edited September 9, 201113 yr by renee

Further Information from the Exhibition Budgerigars Facebook Site -

 

To all,

 

Questions have been asked of the potential to this out break impacting budgerigars.

 

I have extracted from some of the reporting that is out and about to show a SUGGESTED POTENTIAL from this reporting and previous reporting re the potential of impacting other birds (Budgerigars) without trying to create panic – the intent is for fanciers to be vigilant, precautionary and sensible in the area of husbandry, aviary management, closing of aviaries to external birds plus notification of any changes in bird health.

 

Note that whilst the European (inclusive of the UK) outbreak was on and after the BS put together a BioSecurity Policy for shows, I was travelling and judging in the UK, Switzerland and Germany. Outside aviaries for all species were ‘closed’. Plastic sheeting and other ‘protective’ coverings including verandas were placed over the external flights to ensure wild bird droppings (or contact) was removed, the verandas extended a reasonable distance forward of the front of aviaries allowing the visiting public to at least view the birds but minimised the risk of wild birds making contact.

 

Nigel T.

 

As a comment, I still am not sure that the UK outbreak was fully identified, but Dr Baker suggested the following in 2003:

 

He (Dr Baker)has indicated the disease is very probably caused by a paramyxovirus infection (PMV), however, he still awaits confirmation of this.

 

 

There are at least 9 types of paramyxovirus and in many of these there are a large number of subtypes, all of which can infect birds.

 

 

The classical type affecting budgerigars is type 5 (also known as Kinitachi virus) which caused high mortality in aviaries in Japan in the mid 1970s; there was also a small outbreak of this in the UK in 1993.

 

 

Budgerigars are also susceptible to PMV type 1 which is the cause of Newcastle disease- there is a subtype of type 1 which affects pigeons; homing pigeons have to be vaccinated against this if they take part in competitions. Two fanciers have independently commented on the large number of domestic pigeons around at the time of the outbreak but this may just be coincidence, PMV2 and PMV3 have also been seen in psittacine birds including budgerigars.

 

Dr Baker has also confirmed that the disease is transmitted "bird to bird" and it can be carried on shoes and clothing.

What is a psittacine bird and do any types of pmv affect budgies in south east Melbourne, victoria