Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (Or Psittacine Circovirus, PCV)

Psittacine beak and feather disease (or psittacine circovirus, PCV)

Published by The recent diagnosis of psittacine beak and feather disease in wild Biosecurity Unit parrots is a cause of concern to the Department of Conservation. It Department of Conservation was diagnosed in a wild eastern rosella in the Wellington region in PO Box 12–416 Wellington, New Zealand August 2003. This disease is caused by a highly infectious virus and April 2004 affects the skin, feathers and immune system of parrots. There is potential for the disease to be transmitted to other wild parrots, in par- ticular New Zealand’s native species, such as the endangered kakapo and kaka. The potential impact of this disease on these species is unknown as it has affected parrot species in other countries in unpredictable patterns. However, the disease, also known as psittacine circovirus (PCV), could decimate the already depleted populations of our treasured native parrots and it therefore repre- sents a significant threat to biodiversity.

What is psittacine beak and What happens if birds are feather disease? infected with this disease?

Psittacine beak and feather disease Three forms of the disease exist: per- (also known as psittacine circovirus, acute (very sudden onset), acute (sud- PCV) is a highly infectious viral dis- den onset) and chronic (long term). ease of parrots that can cause high ju- The peracute form affects neonatal venile mortality, or long-term immu- (baby) parrots and causes septicae- Parrot infected with psittacine nological suppression, feather abnor- mia, pneumonia, enteritis (inflam- beak and feather disease. Photograph: Mary Wagner malities and (in cockatoos) beak rot. ation of the intestines), weight loss and death. These very young birds may die before any feather abnormalities are seen. The acute form affects young birds during their first feather formation when they replace their neonatal down. Acute infections are character- ised by several days of depressed be- haviour, followed by sudden changes in developing feathers. These changes can range from very subtle to quite ob- vious abnormal colouration, bending, breaking, bleeding and shedding of feathers. Acutely affected birds may recover. The chronic form begins with the loss of production of powder down.

1 It may be first noticed as the develop- Why is it important? ment of a shiny beak and dirty plum- age, followed by feather abnormali- This disease is endemic in captive ties, skin lesions, nail abnormalities parrots in New Zealand but has only and infections. At advanced stages of recently been found in wild parrots. the disease the beak softens and may The potential impacts of psittacine rot away and bacterial and fungal in- beak and feather disease on New Zea- fections may invade the bird’s body. land’s wild native parrots—kaka, kea, Birds with the chronic form of psitta- kakariki and kakapo—are currently cine beak and feather disease rarely unknown. The release of native par- recover. rots into urban sanctuaries such as the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary has in- How is it spread? creased the risk of the disease spreading from wild exotic parrots to wild Psittacine beak and feather disease is native species. This is because most highly contagious to parrot species, spreading through direct contact wild exotics live in and around urban with affected birds and by ingestion areas. or inhalation of feather dust, dander and faeces. The virus can also be How can it be diagnosed transmitted via contact with contami- and treated? nated surfaces such as feeding equip- In advanced cases of the disease, typi- ment, nesting materials and clothing. Younger birds, particularly neonates, cal symptoms indicate psittacine appear to be more susceptible to in- beak and feather disease; however, fection. The disease may spread from other conditions can mimic the adults to offspring and may even be feather changes. A DNA blood test Eastern rosella—an Australian can be used to screen parrots for the parakeet which is closely contracted from a nest box which has related to, and similar in size been unused for many months or disease or to confirm the diagnosis. and appearance to, years. The incubation period from ex- At present there is no effective treat- New Zealand’s native parakeet ment for psittacine beak and feather (the kakariki). The eastern posure to the virus to the appearance rosella is more brightly of symptoms varies from 3 weeks to disease. Some birds may recover, and coloured (larger patches of several years. these survivors may carry the disease yellow, red and blue) than the predominantly green kakariki. The virus is very stable in the environ- and infect other birds. Wild eastern rosellas are now ment, and can last for many months or It is important that any parrots dis- quite common in some parts of playing symptoms of psittacine beak New Zealand years on contaminated material. It is Photograph: David Radonich. also resistant to disinfectants. and feather disease be tested to prevent the further spread of this disease.

What is being done to address the risks?

The Department of Conservation is reviewing its protocols regarding the handling and management of parrots and is updating its wildlife health procedures. This fact sheet has been produced to raise awareness of psittacine beak and feather disease among

2 Kakapo ‘Suzanne’ and her foster brood, Codfish Island, 2002. With a total population of only 86, kakapo are very vulnerable to the impact of diseases such as psittacine beak and feather disease. Photograph: Don Merton Crown copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai

the general public and those people testing new parrots before releas- who handle parrots, including cap- ing them into your aviary. Control tive breeders, bird rehabilitation cen- of psittacine beak and feather dis- tre staff and veterinarians. ease is best achieved by identifying carrier birds and isolating these in- dividuals, and by preventing con- How can I help prevent the tact with infected wild parrots (via spread of this disease? good aviary design and no free-fly- ing of captive parrots). Aviaries that • Report any sick or dead wild par- have held infected birds should be rots (either native or exotic) to thoroughly cleaned using antiviral your local Department of Conserva- disinfectants. tion office. • Do not release captive parrots to • Protect your birds by maintaining the wild. Even apparently healthy good hygiene, and quarantining and birds may be carriers of the disease.

If you would like further information on psittacine beak and feather disease, please contact your local veterinarian. If you find sick or dead native or exotic parrots exhibiting some of the signs outlined above, please contact your local Department of Conservation office. This disease is not related to the avian influenza virus (AVI) pres- ently causing outbreaks of disease in domesticated birds and, occa- sionally, people, in Asia. However, any sightings of multiple dead or ill birds should be reported to the Ministry of Agriculture and For- estry (MAF) through their exotic pest and diseases hotline: 0800 809 966.