New pigeon virus confirmed in NSW

[Mortisha]

Take care everyone!

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/news/ ... med-in-nsw

Pigeon paramyxovirus has been detected in a hobby pigeon flock in Western Sydney and follows numerous cases of the virus in domestic and feral pigeons in Victoria.

Swabs from the sick birds were sent to NSW DPI’s Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute for laboratory analysis and results confirmed pigeon paramyxovirus. It is believed that the virus may have been transmitted following the introduction of a new pigeon from Victoria into the flock late last month.

The infected flock has been quarantined and tracing is underway to confirm the origin of the introduced bird and identify any other at risk flocks. No birds from the infected flock have been flown for some time.
Further samples have been forwarded to the Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong to confirm whether this virus is the same strain which is circulating in Victoria.

A strain of Pigeon Paramyxovirus not previously found in Australia was confirmed as the cause of deaths in a number of hobby pigeon flocks in Victoria in August 2011. The reported mortality rates in adult birds in Victorian lofts were between 50 and 100%.

Government animal health authorities have agreed to prioritise the investigation of pigeon and other bird holdings where disease is suspected and to quarantine affected properties.

Paramyxovirus strains are generally capable of affecting other avian species. Victorian authorities have also detected this virus in sparrow hawk and a spotted turtle dove.

[VR1Ton]

Yet they still allow the rats with wings into the counrty, & don't allow other avian species in for that same reason, it's not as though there is a shortage of the bloody things here already.

[jusdeb]

Is this likely to jump to Doves etc .?

[Mortisha]

Is this likely to jump to Doves etc .?

They say they have found it is a sparrow hawk and a spotted turtle dove in Victoria, so íd be extra careful with quarantine when buying any new birds. No idea how may other species they might have caught and tested - if any.

The usual response is you have to have every bird you own enthanized if an exotic disease is found in your flock.
Necessary to protect all our native birds and stopping the spread but it would be pretty damn devastating.

My heart sinks when I hear news like this, our native birds would have very low resistance to exotic diseases.

[djb78]

Well its correct that two other wild birds have had a case so chances are that more speices may be able to get it. I do know of a bloke that lost his whole flock to this virus and now decided that he will no longer stay in pigeons which apparently he had a few good lines running with at least 20 years in pigeon racing. Now he has undertaken horse racing instead.

[jusdeb]

Going off track a little bit but has anyone ever been told the reason why we cant import parrots , finches etc yet pigeons and chooks can come in ?

Seems a bit backward to me letting in free ranging birds over birds that are confined and less likely to carry the diseases the legal imports can carry ?

[maz]

I actually rang the disease hotline a few weeks ago after finding a crested pigeon dead in a park, they said they would check if they had had reports from the area yet and if not go and check it out (I had the kids with me and no bag so couldn't bag the specimen , the park in question is usually full of them and I only saw one other ), also pigeon flocks in Vic were under quarantine until very recently when they have been given the all clear to fly again, interesting that NSW has just got it's first few cases at around the same time as Vic fanciers have been allowed to let their birds fly again.

[jusdeb]

Good grief , I get Cresteds in my yard . Something else to worry about now .

[Danny]

Going off track a little bit but has anyone ever been told the reason why we cant import parrots , finches etc yet pigeons and chooks can come in ?

Seems a bit backward to me letting in free ranging birds over birds that are confined and less likely to carry the diseases the legal imports can carry ?

There hasn't been a private importation of chickens since 1948 - May 2013 will be the long awaited first batch of eggs in. Large poultry companies have squillions of dollars at risk if they stuff it up so they are exceptionally careful about how they do it. There has not been an exotic chicken disease detected in a batch of imported eggs in Australia for 21 years - my bank balance will be mortified if next years import stuffs up this staistic as we have many thousands invested in it going smoothly.

[jusdeb]

OK so is there ever been a reason given for not allowing domestic birds in ?