Paramyxovirus infection occurs in pigeons as an acute disease, taking an epidemic course.
Pathogen:
The paramyxovirus is related to the Newcastle disease pathogen, but not identical. The virus
is highly pathogenic for pigeons, but not for other domestic bird species.
Course of the disease:
Within just a few days of infection, both visibly and latently affected birds shed the virus in
secretions from the conjunctiva, nose and throat, as well as in the faeces. The incubation
period ranges from 3 to 21 days. Up to 30% of affected pigeons may recover spon-taneously
after around 4 weeks of illness.
Symptoms of the disease:
The initial signs of paramyxovirosis are increased water intake combined with reduced feed
consumption, emaciation and diarrhoea-like faeces due to a pathogenic increase in fluid
excretion (= polyuria: puddles containing floating particles of faeces are formed in the loft).
This is typically followed by uni- or bilateral paralysis of the legs, timidity, torsion of the
neck, twisting movements of the body, overturning and walking backwards. Most pigeons die.
Recognition of the disease:
The virus can be demonstrated in specially equipped laboratories by virological examination of
organ samples (brain, kidneys) from dead pigeons. Antibody demonstration is performed by
serological examination of blood samples taken from affected pigeons not earlier than 2 weeks
after infection.
Similar conditions:
Salmonellosis.
Prevention:
Only active immunisation (see annual prevention plan: paramyxovirus vaccination plan) protects
the pigeons, which then develop a stable immunity within 3-4 weeks.
| Paramyxovirus infection |
