Occurrence of Velogenic Viscerotropic Newcastle Disease in Pet and Exotic Birds in 1991

Abstract

In 1991, velogenic viscerotropic Newcastle disease (VVND) was diagnosed in domestic psittacine birds in six states: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Texas, California, and Nevada. In the first four states, the disease assumed outbreak proportions. The affected psittacine birds--yellow-headed Amazon parrots (Amazona ochrocephala oratrix), yellow-naped Amazon parrots (Amazona ochrocephala auropalliata), cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus), and conures (unknown species)--exhibited respiratory and/or central nervous system signs. The velogenic viscerotropic Newcastle disease virus (VVNDV) was isolated from cloacal and tracheal swabs and various tissues, such as the lung, trachea, distal intestine, and spleen. The origin of the birds could not be established. The disease in the six states was promptly controlled, with no evidence that domestic poultry had been exposed. Also, VVNDV was isolated from quarantined birds intended for importation into the United States. Included were 53 moustached parakeets (Psittacula alexandri fasciata), a mynah (Gracula religiosa), a drongo (Dicrurus sp.), and three partridges (family Phasianidae). Groups of birds that yielded VVNDV were denied entry into the United States. Birds that are illegally imported and therefore not tested for the presence of foreign animal pathogens are a potential source of VVNDV and a threat to domestic poultry and caged birds.

Phylogenetic Analysis of Newcastle Disease Virus Genotypes Isolated in Japan

“…This clearly suggested that imported caged birds have contributed to the distribution of NDV, including the outbreaks involving NDV genotype V, which was introduced by imported infected psittacines (39). Many NDVs have been isolated from caged birds worldwide (4,5,8,15,28,35). Since the trading of these birds across regional and international boundaries is extensive (over 400,000 nonpoultry birds have been imported into Japan each year for the last 5 years), the risk of worldwide dissemination of potentially virulent NDVs is considerable.…”

Ecology and Epidemiology of Newcastle Disease

“…They considered that the infections more probably originated at holding stations before export, either as a result of enzootic NDV at those stations or of spread from nearby poultry, such as backyard chicken flocks. Panigrahy et al (1993) described outbreaks of severe ND in pet birds in six states in the USA in 1991. Illegal importations were assumed to be responsible for the introductions of the virus.…”

Assessment of contemporary genetic diversity and inter-taxa/inter-region exchange of avian paramyxovirus serotype 1 in wild birds sampled in North America

“…Virulent strains of APMV-1 have caused periodic epornitics of Newcastle disease in double-crested cormorants ( Phalacrocorax auritus ; order Suliformes) in North America [1–5]; been associated with outbreaks of disease in pet birds and those kept as part of zoological collections [6–8]; and are among the most economically costly poultry pathogens worldwide [9]. APMV-1 strains of low virulence and those considered to be non-pathogenic are also geographically widespread and have been detected in free-ranging populations of wild and peridomestic birds [10–13]; caged birds including animals maintained at zoos [14, 15]; and poultry reared using a wide range of production practices [16–19].…”