!!!!! WARNING!!!!!!

[jusdeb]

Are Doves considered Pigeons ..you know what I mean , likely to contract the disease .

[natamambo]

Any bird can get it, that's why they're panicking here in Vic, it's appeared in one of our poultry growing areas.

[Myzomela]

The strain of Paramyxovirus in this case seems to primarily affect pigeons (Iraki pigeons, but any strain of domestic pigeon is equally susceptible- we don't know how susceptible native pigeons/doves are, but likely very susceptible).

As Danny has said, paramyxoviruses can cause deaths in lots of bird species, including finches.

If this was one of the strains with a broader infectivity, eg Newcastle's Disease, it would be all over the main news broadcasts and euthanasia of all birds within the affected areas would most likely be mandatory.

Initial indications are that this may be an exotic strain that has come in with smuggled fancy pigeons.

[jusdeb]

Thanks Myzo for the update ...

[Misso]

was on the news tonight, one of the main flocks effected was in the suburb Gladstone Park which is very close to me...... colin walker was on the news talking about it... hopefully it does not go too crazy!

[djb78]

Will this stop pigeon racing? Some of the blokes I know have taken their pigeons interstate for comps so chances that this could spread over the boarder is high if the right authorities haven't stopped the racing side.

[jusdeb]

Of all the birds to get a disease .... they are everywhere and crap on everything , I doubt it will take long to move to other states .

Lets hope its contained and dealt with quick smart and hope the authorities put everything into it like they did when the Horse flu was an issue .

[Myzomela]

And we can still import racing pigeons...but nothing else.
Anyone not see the irony????

[jusdeb]

or stupidity .....

[Diane]

If we did suggest there was just a hint of inequality we would be told that any birds we would bring in could cause disease. Well we already have that! At least we wouldn't allow out birds the freedom of the skies spreading the disease all over the country as they fly back to their home coops.