Pigeon Paramyxovirus has been confirmed in Guernsey. This follows investigations by the States Veterinary Officers into the high numbers of diseased pigeons from St. Peter Port that have been hospitalised at the GSPCA.
Last week the GSPCA reported on the huge increase in deceased and sick pigeons especially from the St Peter Port area - http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/important-message-gspca-sharp-increase-sick-and-injured-pigeons
Since the release last week we have had a further 18 sick pigeons into the GSPCA and 10 reported deceased.
To donate to our vital work please go to https://giving.gg/donate/event/5876/GSPCA-Coronavirus-Emergency-Appeal
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “We are very thankful to the States Veterinary Department who we have been working with to identify why we have been seeing such a sharp rise in sick and deceased pigeon numbers.”
“Pigeon Paramyxovirus is a viral disease that affects pigeons and it is really important that pigeon keepers increase their biosecurity now we have identified the illness in Guernsey.”
“There is a chance the disease can affect poultry so we would urge poultry keepers to keep their birds indoors or undercover where possible and especially their feeders and water vessels.”
Beckie Bailey GSPCA Animal Care Assistant said “The pigeons we have rescued have been very weak, runny faeces and twitching or neurological problems.”
“We have a special isolation ward currently for the pigeons coming into our care with strict biosecurity.”
“Since the 1st January we have had 60 pigeons come into our care, that’s 18 more since the 4th February.”
Steve continues “There is very little we can do to help the wild pigeons but owners of domestic birds really do need to ensure they have the best biosecurity in place they can.”
“Paramyxovirus in pigeons and the poultry version Newcastle Disease is notifiable and if you keep birds and have concerns please not only speak to your vet, but also contact [email protected] or call the farm services answerphone on 01481 235740.”
“Paramyxovirus is mainly spread by diseased birds faeces, respiratory secretions and direct contact.”
“It can sometimes spread to humans but is extremely rare and has mainly been seen with those that work and care for large numbers of diseased birds and those infected display flu like symptoms.”
“With the huge increases in numbers of pigeons and the many other animals in our care we continue to appeal for support for our #GSPCACoronavirusCrisisAppeal and to donate to our work and the care of the many animals please call 01481 257261, at the GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey GY6 8UD or online https://giving.gg/donate/event/5876/GSPCA-Coronavirus-Emergency-Appeal .”
“To help ensure we can help animals 24/7 why not become a regular sponsor to help animals like the 3 seal pups during these extremely difficult days and to find out more please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf .”
“This Friday starts #GSPCAPurpleWeek celebrating 148 years since we were founded.”
“Although many of the ideas we have shared might not be able to be carried out that you can see on our page http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-purple-week we really hope islanders will get involved and support our essential work helping animals and the community.”
What is Pigeon Paramyxovirus (PPMV)?
Pigeon Paramyxovirus is a Notifiable Disease, anyone who discovers a sick pigeon should contact the GSPCA for advice (01481 257261).
Pigeon Paramyxovirus is a viral disease that primarily affects pigeons but can affect poultry. There are 12 recognized serotypes of avian paramyxoviruses. Serotype 1 contains both Pigeon Paramyxovirus type 1 (PPMV1) and Newcastle Disease virus (NDV), which affects poultry. The virulence (ability to cause disease) of both PPMV and NDV is highly variable.
The mortality rate of pigeons infected with PPMV can vary between 10% and 100%. In the current outbreak of PPMV in Guernsey, the mortality among pigeons taken to the GSPCA is currently 100%.
The incubation period can vary from a few days to several weeks. There is no specific treatment for this disease and infected birds often die within 72 hours but may survive with supportive therapies.
What are the signs of PPMV?
Signs of pigeon paramyxovirus include:
- nervous signs, including trembling wings and heads, and twisting of the neck,
- partial paralysis of wings and legs (birds cannot fly, walk and be unable to feed),
- unusually wet and liquid faeces (diarrhoea) that are often greenish in colour,
- quietness, loss of appetite and reluctance to move.
Infection in poultry may cause:
- no symptoms,
- mild respiratory signs (sneezing),
- reduced egg production,
- nervous signs,
- increased mortality.
How does it spread?
PPMV is very contagious and can spread between pigeons through direct contact with their faeces and respiratory secretions.
The disease can be introduced to a loft of kept pigeons through contact with infected wild pigeons and through:
- pigeon transporters that have not been adequately cleaned and disinfected,
- drinking water in lofts and transporters,
- pigeon fanciers carrying infection on their clothes, hands and feet.
PPMV can cause disease in poultry if their feed is infected with the faeces of infected pigeons, for example. Paramyxovirus can cause Newcastle Disease in chickens.
At this stage, the virus appears to be highly pigeon specific and no other species have been affected.
Does it affect humans and other animals?
Some strains of paramyxovirus can potentially cause temporary conjunctivitis and flu-like symptoms in people. However, this is only a risk for lab workers and poultry vaccination teams that expose themselves to very large quantities of the virus.
Eurasian collared-doves (Streptopelia decaocto) are also susceptible to PPMV but the susceptibility of other species of wild birds varies depending on the strain of the virus.
Paramyxovirus is not a risk to dogs, cats or any other non-avian pets.
What do I do if I come across a sick pigeon?
Please contact the GSPCA for advice (01481 257261).
There is no treatment for PPMV other than supportive treatments and badly affected birds should be humanely euthanized.
What should I do if I keep pigeons?
Most pigeon keepers (racing, show & fancy) routinely vaccinate their flocks against PPMV and if they have not done so, they should do so promptly.
Pigeon owners´ primary defence against PPMV1 is to prevent the introduction of the disease into their loft by the implementation of the following biosecurity procedures:
- preventing wild birds and feral pigeons (and their droppings) from having contact with your pigeons or contaminating their feed or water,
- keeping lofts and equipment clean,
- cleaning and disinfecting footwear and washing hands and clothes after visiting other birds,
- disinfecting equipment used to house, transport, feed and water other birds,
- limiting any unnecessary visitors to your pigeons' loft.
Check your birds regularly for any signs of disease. If clinical signs arise, isolate those birds which are showing clinical signs from the rest of the pigeons in the loft and contact the GSPCA in the first instance for advice.
What should I do if I keep poultry?
Good biosecurity measures, already in place to combat the current avian influenza threat, will reduce the risk of pigeons directly or indirectly infecting poultry. Examples of these are as follows:
- Keep them housed – if you do not have a purpose built building you could use a garden shed, garage or polytunnel (provided there is adequate light and ventilation).
- Block up any gaps in poultry housing with boards or netting to avoid any wild birds getting in.
- If it is not possible to house birds, you must separate them from wild birds in a netted enclosure and ensure that food and water is kept indoors.
- Make your premises unattractive to wild birds using scarers, foils or streamers.
- Store food and bedding inside to reduce the risk of contamination.
- Clean and disinfect – footwear, hard surfaces, equipment and vehicles.
Please register your poultry with the States of Guernsey if you have not already done so. Email [email protected] or call the farm services answerphone on (01481) 235740 and provide the following information:
- Name, Address, Contact details (phone number, email address), Type of birds kept, Number of birds kept, Address where poultry are located, if different to the home address.
- The Office for the Environment and Infrastructure will use this information to contact you if there is a disease outbreak or if there are any other animal health/welfare concerns that you should be made aware of.
- For details on how they will use your data please see our Fair Processing Notice.
Chickens in commercial poultry flocks are usually vaccinated against NDV.
In line with States of Guernsey advice please DO NOT visit the GSPCA if have been outside of the Bailiwick of Guernsey in line with their advice or have any symptoms of Coronavirus and we continue visits to the Shelter for only essential reasons and to please call us on 01481 257261 or email [email protected] before your trip to see if we can help without you coming to the Shelter. For the latest information and advice please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/search/node/coronavirus
The GSPCA continues with all essential services and we plane to phase other services back into operation and to find out more please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-take-cautious-approach-returning-new-normal-%E2%80%93-gspca-plan-our-services-and-volunteers-retu
With huge challenges on our resources and a drop in income from boarding and donations please help us help animals in Guernsey with our #GSPCACoronavirusCrisisAppeal by donating online via - https://giving.gg/donate/event/5876/GSPCA-Coronavirus-Emergency-Appeal
During these difficult times help us help animals in need. From donating to Sponsoring a Pen, Buying a Brick for the much needed Wildlife Hospital to our Amazon and main page Wish List, holding a mufti day to a sponsored Christmas dip, here are some of the ways you could help give animals joy.
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