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Poultry Industry information - Paramyxovirus
6 September 2011
A paramyxovirus not previously reported in Australia has been detected in hobby pigeons in Victoria and is the likely cause of significant deaths in pigeons interstate. Investigations are underway to determine the source of the disease.
Affected pigeon flocks have experienced high mortality associated with lethargy, gastrointestinal and neurological signs.
There are currently no reports of illness or deaths occurring in pigeons in South Australia. There are also no reported unusual disease events in Australian commercial or backyard poultry flocks, or in wild birds.
As virulent paramyxoviruses 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 (02) 6272 5283.
If you notice similar signs or high death rates in your flocks please either contact your veterinarian or call Biosecurity SA (BSA) so that an investigation into the cause of death can be undertaken. BSA may assist with the cost of this investigation.
Biosecurity SA can be contacted on 8207 7900 or after hours on the Emergency Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.
- Page URL: http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecuritysa/animalhealth/animal_health/pigeon_paramyxovirus/poultry_industry_information_paramyxovirus
- Page Last Modified: November 8, 2011