Clinical beak and feather disease virus infection in wild juvenile eastern rosellas of New Zealand; biosecurity implications for wildlife care facilities

Jackson, Bethany; Harvey, C; Galbraith, Josie A.; Robertson, Megan J; Warren, K.; Holyoake, C.; Julian, Laurel; Varsani, Arvind

doi:10.1080/00480169.2014.909750

Cited by 22 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 13 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Basic visual body condition assessments were mentioned in 36 of the 83 publications and ranged from a brief statement of the presence or absence of feather disorder [ 20 , 51 ] to more in-depth observations regarding overall body condition [ 39 , 52 ]. More-thorough scoring systems for the classification of clinical symptoms were applied in eight studies.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beak and feather disease virus in wild and captive parrots: an analysis of geographic and taxonomic distribution and methodological trends

2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) has emerged in recent years as a major threat to wild parrot populations and is an increasing concern to aviculturists and managers of captive populations. Pathological and serological tests for screening for the presence of beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) are a critical component of efforts to manage the disease and of epidemiological studies. Since the disease was first reported in the mid-1970s, screening for BFDV has been conducted in numerous wild and captive populations. However, at present, there is no current and readily accessible synthesis of screening efforts and their results. Here, we consolidate information collected from 83 PBFD- and BFDV-based publications on the primary screening methods being used and identify important knowledge gaps regarding potential global disease hotspots. We present trends in research intensity in this field and critically discuss advances in screening techniques and their applications to both aviculture and to the management of threatened wild populations. Finally, we provide an overview of estimates of BFDV prevalence in captive and wild flocks alongside a complete list of all psittacine species in which the virus has been confirmed. Our evaluation highlights the need for standardised diagnostic tests and more emphasis on studies of wild populations, particularly in view of the intrinsic connection between global trade in companion birds and the spread of novel BFDV strains into wild populations. Increased emphasis should be placed on the screening of captive and wild parrot populations within their countries of origin across the Americas, Africa and Asia.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beak and feather disease virus in wild and captive parrots: an analysis of geographic and taxonomic distribution and methodological trends

2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Moreover, introduced species (including house sparrow, Eurasian blackbird and spotted dove) may carry and transmit novel diseases or strains that could negatively impact naïve native bird populations (van Riper et al ). For example, introduced eastern rosellas Platycercus eximius (native to Australia) are now widespread in much of New Zealand and are a primary reservoir of beak and feather disease virus (BFDV), a pathogen likely introduced with the importation of exotic parrots (Massaro et al , Jackson et al ). BFDV has now been isolated from populations of endemic parrots, including an isolated population of the endangered red‐crowned parakeet (kākāriki; Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae ) on Little Barrier Island (Massaro et al ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental feeding regime influences urban bird disease dynamics

Galbraith

Stanley

Jones

et al. 2017

Journal of Avian Biology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Wild bird feeding often results in high densities of birds, potentially facilitating transmission of disease. Wild birds are major reservoirs of many zoonotic diseases, and although a number of avian disease outbreaks have been linked to bird feeders, urban bird‐feeding and its role in disease systems remains poorly studied. We examined the impacts of typical supplementary feeding practices on the health status of feeder‐visiting birds at experimental feeding stations in an urban area of New Zealand. Over an 18‐month period, we screened birds captured at feeding and non‐feeding properties for three pathogens and four groups of parasites to determine whether feeding altered disease dynamics. We also assessed body condition. All pathogens and parasites were detected in at least one garden bird species. Feeding stations tested positive for Salmonella enterica Typhimurium on ∼7% of occasions, confirming that structures used in feeding are a potential transmission pathway. Feeding influenced some parasite infection parameters; these effects varied among host species. In silvereyes Zosterops lateralis, helminth prevalence and abundance were lower at feeding properties compared to non‐feeding properties. In contrast, Eurasian blackbirds Turdus merula at feeding properties had a higher abundance of helminths. House sparrows Passer domesticus at feeding properties had a higher abundance of feather lice. Furthermore, our feeding regime significantly affected body condition in house sparrow and silvereye, though no associations between parasite parameters and body condition indices were found. Our results demonstrate that feeding practices can have varied effects on avian health, including no observable effects for some disease agents in some host species. Disease risks are present, however, thus understanding and reducing these risks should be a key goal for all stakeholders to protect birds that use feeders and other wildlife.

show abstract

“…The detection of this novel nidovirus in association with a long-reported respiratory syndrome demonstrates the importance of wildlife centres, as well as zoos and private clinics, in providing passive disease surveillance data and samples for early detection of emerging wildlife diseases and monitoring of existing diseases [57][58][59]. Ongoing collaborative arrangements between researchers and wildlife rehabilitation centres are critical to detect and describe these novel infectious disease agents.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Discovery and Partial Genomic Characterisation of a Novel Nidovirus Associated with Respiratory Disease in Wild Shingleback Lizards (Tiliqua rugosa)

O’Dea

Jackson

et al. 2016

PLoS ONE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A respiratory disease syndrome has been observed in large numbers of wild shingleback lizards (Tiliqua rugosa) admitted to wildlife care facilities in the Perth metropolitan region of Western Australia. Mortality rates are reportedly high without supportive treatment and care. Here we used next generation sequencing techniques to screen affected and unaffected individuals admitted to Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Perth between April and December 2015, with the resultant discovery of a novel nidovirus significantly associated with cases of respiratory disease according to a case definition based on clinical signs. Interestingly this virus was also found in 12% of apparently healthy individuals, which may reflect testing during the incubation period or a carrier status, or it may be that this agent is not causative in the disease process. This is the first report of a nidovirus in lizards globally. In addition to detection of this virus, characterisation of a 23,832 nt segment of the viral genome revealed the presence of characteristic nidoviral genomic elements providing phylogenetic support for the inclusion of this virus in a novel genus alongside Ball Python nidovirus, within the Torovirinae sub-family of the Coronaviridae. This study highlights the importance of next generation sequencing technologies to detect and describe emerging infectious diseases in wildlife species, as well as the importance of rehabilitation centres to enhance early detection mechanisms through passive and targeted health surveillance. Further development of diagnostic tools from these findings will aid in detection and control of this agent across Australia, and potentially in wild lizard populations globally.

show abstract

Clinical beak and feather disease virus infection in wild juvenile eastern rosellas of New Zealand; biosecurity implications for wildlife care facilities

Abstract: Blood from all four birds tested positive by PCR for BFDV, and analysis of the recovered full BFDV genomes identified them as belonging to the BFDV-A strain.

Cited by 22 publications

References 13 publications

Beak and feather disease virus in wild and captive parrots: an analysis of geographic and taxonomic distribution and methodological trends

Beak and feather disease virus in wild and captive parrots: an analysis of geographic and taxonomic distribution and methodological trends

Experimental feeding regime influences urban bird disease dynamics

Discovery and Partial Genomic Characterisation of a Novel Nidovirus Associated with Respiratory Disease in Wild Shingleback Lizards (Tiliqua rugosa)

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About