Wildlife Health Australia

Silvia Ban, Keren Cox-Witton and Tiggy Grillo Wildlife Health Australia

Wildlife Health Australia (WHA)2 is the peak body for wildlife health in Australia. WHA was established as the Australian Wildlife Health Network in 2002 as an Australian Government initiative to coordinate wildlife health surveillance information across Australia to support Australia’s health industries, human health, biodiversity, trade and tourism. WHA collates information from multiple sources into a national database — the Wildlife Health Information System (eWHIS)3 — including submissions by WHA subscribers, state and territory WHA coordinators, researchers, and university, zoo and sentinel clinic veterinarians.

During the quarter, 144 wildlife disease investigation events were reported in eWHIS (Table 1 and Figure 6) and samples were collected from 1819 wild for (AI) surveillance.

This report details some of the disease and mortality events in free-living wildlife recorded in eWHIS this quarter. WHA thanks all those who submitted information for this report.

Table 1 Number of disease investigations reported into eWHIS, April to June 2018a

Mammals Birdsc,d Reptiles Batsb Marsupials Feral mammals Monotremes

64 27 2 1 48 2 a Disease investigations may involve a single animal or multiple (e.g. mass mortality event). b The majority of bat disease investigations are single bats submitted for Australian bat lyssavirus testing. c Additional sampling for targeted avian influenza surveillance is presented elsewhere in this report. d Includes free-ranging birds (native or feral species) and a small number of events involving birds from zoological collections and captive breeding programs.

2 www.wildlifehealthaustralia.com.au/Home.aspx 3 www.wildlifehealthaustralia. com.au/ProgramsProjects/ eWHISWildlifeHealthInformationSystem.aspx

ANIMAL HEALTH SURVEILLANCE QUARTERLY APRIL TO JUNE 2018 VOLUME 23 ISSUE 2 13 35

30

25

20

15

10 Number of investigations

5

0

NT SA NT SA NT SA QLD TAS VIC WA QLD TAS VIC WA QLD TAS VIC WA

NSW/ACT NSW/ACT NSW/ACT

Birdsb Mammalsc Reptiles

Figure 6 Number of disease investigations reported, by taxonomic class and jurisdiction, into eWHIS, April to June 2018a a The chart shows the number of disease investigations or events reported into eWHIS. Each disease investigation may involve one or multiple animals. b Birds includes free-ranging birds (native or feral species) and a small number of events involving birds from zoological collections and captive breeding programs. c Investigations involving mammals include individual bats submitted for Australian bat lyssavirus testing.

Wild mortality event paramyxovirus was excluded in in poor nutritional condition. summary — Newcastle 14 events by PCR testing PPMV-1 was confirmed by PCR disease and avian specifically for Newcastle disease on pooled cloacal and tracheal (ND) virus or pigeon swabs tested at NSW DPI influenza exclusion paramyxovirus type 1 (PPMV-1), Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural WHA received 48 reports of wild or both. PPMV-1 was diagnosed Institute, Menangle. AI, Chlamydia bird mortality or morbidity in a number of wild bird mortality psittaci and pigeon rotavirus investigations from around events this quarter, as detailed were excluded via PCR assay. Australia during the quarter. above. Investigations may involve a In the same month at a property single animal or multiple animals Pigeon paramyxovirus in the suburb of Weston in the (e.g. mass mortality event). A type 1 detected in feral Australian Capital Territory, approximately seven feral breakdown of wild bird events by pigeons taxonomic order is given in pigeons (Columbiformes sp. Table 2. Reports and samples This quarter, Wildlife Health unidentified) presented with from sick and dead birds are Australia received reports of neurological signs, including received from members of the PPMV-1 detections in Victoria tumbling and difficulty in public, private practitioners, and, for the first time, in the righting, over a 10-day period. universities, zoo wildlife clinics Australian Capital Territory. The birds were from a flock of 30 and wildlife sanctuaries. AI was to 50 permanently resident feral In the Australian Capital Territory, excluded by polymerase chain pigeons at the property. One a feral pigeon (rock pigeon; reaction (PCR) testing for pigeon was vomiting and Columba livia) morbidity and influenza A in 23 of the events as presented with watery faeces. mortality event started in part of Australia’s general (sick The birds were easy to catch and February 2018 in the suburb of and dead bird) AI surveillance subsequently died or were Mitchell. Over a 6-week period, program. Disease caused by AI euthanased due to the severity of approximately 15 to 20 birds was excluded in the remaining illness. Four pigeons were were found dead each day. 25 events based on clinical signs, submitted to an ACT Government Before death, pigeons were history, histopathology, prevailing veterinarian for gross necropsy observed with polydipsia environmental conditions or and collection of samples for (drinking in excess). Three birds other diagnoses. Avian histopathology and specific submitted for investigation were

14 ANIMAL HEALTH SURVEILLANCE QUARTERLY APRIL TO JUNE 2018 VOLUME 23 ISSUE 2 Table 2 Wild bird disease investigations, by taxonomic order, reported into eWHIS, April to June 2018

Events Bird order Common name for bird ordera reportedb

Anseriformes Magpie geese, ducks, geese and swans 3

Columbiformes Doves and pigeons 5

Charadriiformes Shorebirds 1

Falconiformes Falcons 4

Passeriformes Passerines or perching birds 12

Pelecaniformes Ibis, herons and 2

Psittaciformes Parrots and cockatoos 23

Sphenisciformes Penguins 1

Strigiformes Typical owls and barn owls 2

Suliformes Gannets, boobies and cormorants 1 a Common names adapted from: del Hoyo and Collar, 2014, HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1 — Non- passerines, Lynx Editions, Barcelona. (Courtesy of the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy.) b Disease investigations may involve a single or multiple bird orders (e.g. mass mortality event). This quarter six wild bird events involved multiple bird orders. Two events involved the bird orders Passeriformes and Columbiformes, the third event involved Falconiformes and Strigiformes, the forth involved Passeriformes and Charadriiformes, the fifth involved Passeriformes, and Pelecaniformes, and the sixth involved Passeriformes and Strigiformes. testing at Elizabeth Macarthur lesions in the kidneys and submitted to Agribio for testing Agricultural Institute. pancreas consistent with PPMV- as part of a multi-species 1. This was confirmed by positive mortality event in Werribee On gross assessment, all birds PCR results. Cloacal samples involving house sparrows (Passer had prominent keels (were from two additional sick birds domesticus). PPMV-1 was underweight) but full crops. tested positive for PPMV-1 via detected in cloacal swabs by Histopathological lesions were PCR assay at Elizabeth PCR assay. Three house sparrows consistent with PPMV-1 and Macarthur Agricultural Institute. submitted to Agribio as part of included necrotising pancreatitis the investigation tested negative (n = 4), tubulointerstitial nephritis PPMV-1 was confirmed via PCR for avian paramyxoviruses via (n = 3) and encephalitis (n = 1). assay in a second unvaccinated PCR assay. This event was Pooled tracheal swabs and loft in the Australian Capital consistent with a common cloacal swabs (n = 4 birds) tested Territory, after an investigation environmental factor and positive for PPMV-1 via PCR assay. of a mortality and morbidity suspected to be due to AI and pigeon rotavirus were event involving nine birds. In organophosphate poisoning. excluded via PCR assay. June, seven feral pigeons (C. livia) died at a property in the PPMV-1 was first detected in In the following months, PPMV-1 centre of Canberra. Despite the domestic loft pigeons in was confirmed in two domestic event being noted as unusual, Shepparton, Victoria, in August pigeon lofts in the Australian samples were not submitted for 2011.4 The first confirmed case in Capital Territory. testing due to autolysis. a free-ranging bird was reported in October 2011 in a feral pigeon A number of sick pigeons from One feral pigeon (C. livia) was in Melbourne, Victoria.5 Since the first loft were presented to a found weak and unable to fly in then, PPMV-1 in free-ranging feral local veterinarian in April Fitzroy North, Melbourne, pigeons has been detected in the following the death of eight Victoria in May. The incident was Greater Sydney region, New pigeons from a free-fly aviary reported to an Agriculture South Wales and Victoria, (domestic pigeons and a small Victoria veterinary officer and primarily around Melbourne. In number of feral pigeons are free the bird submitted to Agribio several cases, the likely source of to fly in and out of the aviary). Veterinary Diagnostic Services, infection was domestic The pigeons had not been Bundoora for testing. pigeons.6,7 This is the first vaccinated by the owners. detection of PPMV-1 in pigeons in The cloacal swab was positive the Australian Capital Territory Samples from one dead pigeon, for PPMV-1 via PCR assay, and (Figure 7). necropsied by the ACT microscopic renal lesions were Government veterinarian and also consistent with the disease. 4 AHSQ, Vol. 16, Issue 3. submitted to Elizabeth Macarthur 5 AHSQ, Vol. 16, Issue 4. Agricultural Institute for Also in May, another feral pigeon 6 AHSQ, Vol. 17, Issue 1. investigation, had histopathogical (C. livia) found weak was 7 AHSQ, Vol. 17, Issue 4.

ANIMAL HEALTH SURVEILLANCE QUARTERLY APRIL TO JUNE 2018 VOLUME 23 ISSUE 2 15 Figure 7 Feral pigeon mortality events in which birds were tested positive for pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 (PPMV-1), by year and number of birds affected in each suburb, reported to eWHIS NSW: 2012, 2015, 2017; Victoria: 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018; ACT: 2018

A total of 40 PPMV-1 positive included mycotic pneumonia doves remains unknown.9 events have been reported into and mycotic hepatitis. In Australia has 22 native species of the eWHIS database between addition to histological lesions, pigeons and doves;10 to date, 2011 and 2018 (Figure 7), there were molecular evidence none have tested positive for involving from one to more than (PCR) and positive PPMV-1. While PPMV-1 has caused 600 birds per event. immunohistochemistry (IHC) disease in poultry in Europe and diagnostic for infection with South Africa, a study using the With the exception of one PPMV-1. PPVM-1 infected feral Australian variant suggests this collared sparrowhawk (Accipiter pigeons had previously been virus has limited disease potential cirrocephalus) and one spotted confirmed in the immediate in poultry.11 The PPMV-1 detection turtle dove (Streptopelia area and it is likely that infection in domestic and feral pigeons and chinensis), both detections in in the sparrowhawk may be the other avian taxa emphasises the January 2012 in Melbourne result of high virus challenge importance of continued (AHSQ Vol. 17 Issue 1), all events associated with recent surveillance and biosecurity reported into eWHIS have predation on diseased pigeons, measures in Australia. involved feral pigeons. The based on reports from other collared sparrowhawk is the only countries in which pigeon 9 WHA (2016). Avian paramyxoviruses and native bird that has tested paramyxovirus is endemic.8 Australian wild birds. Fact sheet, November positive for PPMV-1. The spotted 2016, Wildlife Health Australia. www. wildlifehealthaustralia.com.au/FactSheets. turtle dove is an introduced feral The ability of the PPMV-1 strain aspx species. Of note, the affected present in Australia to cause 10 AHSQ, Vol. 16, Issue 3. collared sparrowhawk was a disease in native pigeons and 11 Shan S, Middleton D, Williams D, Wang J, Gard G, Bruce K, Bingham J, Daglas S, juvenile bird and may have been Frazer L, Walker S & McCullough S (2013). Pathogenicity study in chickens of an avian predisposed to infection with paramyxovirus type 1 isolated from domestic PPMV-1 due to concurrent fungal pigeons in Victoria, 2011. Oral presentation. In: Australian Association on Veterinary infection. Necropsy findings in 8 Forbes NA & Simpson GN (1997). A review Laboratory Diagnosticians, 28–29 November the collared sparrowhawk of viruses affecting raptors. Veterinary 2013, Geelong, Victoria. https://publications. Record 141: 123126. csiro.au/rpr/pub?pid=csiro:EP142328

16 ANIMAL HEALTH SURVEILLANCE QUARTERLY APRIL TO JUNE 2018 VOLUME 23 ISSUE 2 Avian influenza surveillance Australia’s National Avian Influenza Wild Bird (NAIWB) and Surveillance Program comprises two sampling components: pathogen-specific risk-based surveillance by sampling of apparently healthy, live and hunter-killed wild birds and; general surveillance by investigating significant unexplained morbidity and mortality events in wild birds, including captive and wild birds within zoo grounds (with a focus on exclusion testing for AI virus subtypes H5 and H7).

Samples from sick or dead birds were discussed earlier. Sources for targeted wild bird surveillance data include state and territory government laboratories, universities and samples collected through the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS).

During the quarter, pathogen- specific, risk-based surveillance occurred at sites in New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia. Cloacal and faecal environmental swabs were collected from 1819 waterbirds, with 1819 tested comparison when novel AI virus with abnormal wing conformation for AI. No highly pathogenic AI strains of importance emerge were observed around a pier at viruses were identified. However, overseas. Swan Bay on the Bellarine this quarter targeted surveillance Peninsula in Victoria. Three of the activities continued to find spp. infection pelicans were caught and evidence of a wide range of in wild pelicans and examined at Melbourne Zoo. subtypes of low pathogenic AI ravens 1 was thin, had chronic (LPAI) viruses, including low cloacal prolapse and abnormal 12, 13, 14 pathogenic H5. Molecular Salmonellosis was diagnosed in carriage of the right wing. analysis of AI viruses detected two separate incidents in wild Radiographs showed increased through the targeted surveillance birds this quarter, one in Victoria soft tissue opacity and sclerotic activities contribute to and one in South Australia. bone in the left shoulder joint. understanding of AI viruses Salmonellosis outbreaks are not Blood analysis showed moderate dynamics in Australia, help uncommon in wild birds and are anaemia, hypoproteinemia and maintain currency of diagnostic often associated with areas where leucocytosis. Pelican 2 was in tests, and serve as a point of birds congregate, such as bird good body condition with luxation 15 feeders and watering areas. of the right elbow. Pelican 3 was 12 Grillo T et al (2015). Avian influenza in severely emaciated. Australia: a summary of 5 years of wild bird In April, a group of four Australian surveillance. Australian Veterinary Journal. 93 (11): 387–393 pelicans (Pelecanus conspicillatus) The three birds were euthanased 13 Haynes L et al (2009). Australian surveillance due to poor prognosis. On for avian influenza viruses in wild birds (July 15 Velarde R et al (2012). Septicemic 2005 to June 2007). Australian Veterinary salmonellosis caused by Salmonella Hessarek necropsy, all three had Journal. 87 (7): 266-272 in wintering and migrating song thrushes hepatomegaly with suspected 14 www.wildlifehealthaustralia.com.au/ (Turdus philomelos) in Spain. Journal of ProgramsProjects/WildBirdSurveillance.aspx Wildlife Diseases 48(1): 113–121. miliary abscesses.

ANIMAL HEALTH SURVEILLANCE QUARTERLY APRIL TO JUNE 2018 VOLUME 23 ISSUE 2 17 Pelican 1 had a large abscess in an Australian magpie (Cracticus • two bats displayed neurological the left shoulder that had tibicen) in Victoria. Outside signs (e.g. aggression, destroyed the normal architecture Australia, this serotype has been paralysis) of the joint. Histopathological described in outbreaks in song • two bats were found dead changes in Pelican 1 included thrushes (Turdus philomelos) in • one bat had no further history multifocal granulomatous Spain and starlings (Sturnus reported at this time. hepatitis and splenitis with vulgaris) in Israel.11,16 It is intralesional bacteria. Swabs from reported to have caused egg- During the quarter, three flying- the shoulder abscess and liver associated salmonellosis foxes were confirmed positive for cultured Salmonella spp. group B. outbreaks in humans in ABLV by fluorescent antibody test This bird showed severe chronic Australia.17 or PCR assay for pteropid ABLV lymphoplasmacytic and ribonucleic acid (RNA), or both. granulocytic enteritis with Australian bat lyssavirus Details of the cases are as follows: intramucosal trematodes and Reports to WHA for the quarter possible protozoa. • A juvenile male black flying-fox included 66 bats tested for (P. alecto) from south-east Pelican 2 showed acute and Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) Queensland was found hanging chronic multifocal hepatitis with from the Australian Capital low in a public street. In care, it degenerating parasites present in Territory, New South Wales, was behaving aggressively some lesions. Northern Territory, Queensland, (attacking suspended fruit) and South Australia, Victoria and died overnight. There were no Pelican 3 had acute multifocal Western Australia. significant gross findings on hepatic necrosis and mild necropsy. Some gliosis and hepatitis with intralesional Bat submissions were made for a Negri-like bodies were detected bacteria in one instance, which variety of reasons: histologically in the brain. was considered consistent with • 30 cases involved contact Salmonella infection. with a pet dog (24) or cat (5) • A female grey-headed flying-fox (P. poliocephalus) from Victoria, In suburban Adelaide in April, a or both (1) which was found on the ground, member of the public reported • 17 cases involved contact with was submitted for ABLV testing one sick and three dead the potential for ABLV due to potentially infectious Australian ravens ( transmission to humans; of human contact. coronoides) in their backyard. The these ravens had reportedly been fed -- five were also associated • A black flying-fox from south- raw chicken necks by a neighbour. with trauma (e.g. netting or east Queensland was reported to The sick bird was lethargic, had barbed wire fence be aggressive, and potentially slightly droopy wings and entanglement, fracture) infectious human contact had coughed when trying to eat. It -- two displayed neurological occurred when a person tried to was euthanased due to poor signs (e.g. behavioural rescue the bat. prognosis. changes, paralysis) In the two cases where there was AI and avian paramyxovirus were -- two involved contact with a potentially infectious human excluded by PCR testing of pet cat contact, clinical advice was cloacal and tracheal swabs in the -- one displayed other (non- provided by an experienced euthanased bird and one of the neurological) signs public health official. birds found dead. Histology -- the remainder had no revealed similar lesions in the two More information on ABLV testing further history reported birds, including granulomatous of bats in Australia is available in pneumonia, duodenitis, myositis, • 11 cases were associated with ABLV Bat Stats.18 ABLV is a myocarditis and ventriculitis, with trauma (e.g. netting or barbed nationally notifiable disease in clusters of gram-negative wire fence entanglement, Australia. Cases of suspect ABLV coccobacilli within the lesions. fracture) infection or exposure should be Salmonella sp. cultured from • three bats displayed other reported to the Emergency pooled lung, liver and kidney (non-neurological) signs Animal Disease Watch Hotline on samples was identified as (sudden death) 1800 675 888. Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotype Hessarek. This 16 Singer N et al (1977). Isolation of Salmonella Hessarek from starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). serotype was identified in 2011 in Avian Diseases 21, 117-119 an Australian raven that presented 17 Moffatt CR et al (2016). Salmonella Typhimurium and outbreaks of egg- with nystagmus and head tremor. associated disease in Australia, 2001 to S. Hessarek has been identified in 2011. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease, 18 www.wildlifehealthaustralia.com.au/ 13(7), 379-385 ProgramsProjects/BatHealthFocusGroup.aspx

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