Disease

PFBD in wild cockatoo, Australia Wingsandwild Photography

One Earth Conservation

PFBD in wild Cape Parrot, Cape Parrot Project

PJL


SC mite infestation, Australia Tamsyn Stehenson

PJL

Assume mass mortalities of unknown origin or suspected diseases are transmissible to humans and use all due precaution and appropriate PPE.

What Happens

Most pandemic and epidemic events are anthropogenic or highly driven by anthropogenic influence.

Wildlife trafficking and legal wildlife trade may be the source of modern pandemic pathogens. These pathogens frequently cause mass mortalities in non-human animals and may be responsible for anthropogenic disaster in the natural world. Because psittacines are targeted in the majority of live animal trade, both legal and illegal, the chances for population- or species-wide devastation are likely. Novel pathogens may evolve in these stressful situations more quickly than expected.


Habitat destruction and human incursion lead to ecosystem collapse and physiological stress. Infectious agents are favored.


Pandemics affect many species over a large area, but generally are restricted within a taxon. A small example is the Psittacine Feather and Beak Disease circovirus, which affects diverse psittacines across the globe, wild and captive. More generalist pathogen, such as the various Influenza A H-N viruses are driven by biologic, agricultural and human population parameters.


Pandemics are true disasters, as they affect victims at every level, disrupt support/supply/protection infrastructure and cripple economics for decades.


The recent emergence of CoVID-19 has shown how important are the impacts of pandemics. Zoonotic disease is a 2-way street. Although there are zoonoses that can impact human public health, the impact of contagious disease originating from anthropogenic sources has likely been severely underestimated. Very few studies have been published regarding human-origin pathogens and their impact on wild psittacines. The impact of Chlamydia psittaci on human public health is the primary focus of a majority of human-psittacine zoonoses.


The recent emergence of CoVID-19 has shown how important are the impacts of pandemics. Zoonotic disease is a 2-way street. Although there are zoonoses that can impact human public health, the impact of contagious disease originating from anthropogenic sources has likely been severely underestimated. Very few studies have been published regarding human-origin pathogens and their impact on wild psittacines. The impact of Chlamydia psittaci on human public health is the primary focus of a majority of human-psittacine zoonoses.


Assume mass mortalities or suspected diseases are transmissible to humans and use all due precaution and PPE. The recent emergence of CoVID-19 has shown how important are the impacts of pandemics. Zoonotic disease is a 2-way street. Although there are zoonoses that can impact human public health, the impact of contagious disease originating from anthropogenic sources has likely been severely underestimated. Very few studies have been published regarding human-origin pathogens and their impact on wild psittacines. The impact of Chlamydia psittaci on human public health is the primary focus of a majority of human-psittacine zoonoses.


QUARANTINE PROTOCOLS


What to Expect

  • Obvious sick birds

  • respiratory distress is possible with many infections

  • mucous discharge from eyes, nostrils, mouth

  • soiling of feathers, poor grooming

  • Gi issues

  • thin and dehydrated, inability to drink or feed

  • massive mortalities of nestlings

  • mass mortality, peracute death

  • apparently uninjured birds may exhibit extreme docility and uncaring attitude

  • governmental agencies' involvement

  • CITES regulations may be superceded


What to Do

TAKE EXTREME CAUTION AND ASSUME ALL BIRDS ARE AN EXPOSURE RISK TO YOURSELF AND OTHER BIRDS. USE APPROPRIATE PPE

  • Capture and contain ill birds

  • keep them in a warm, dry, safe and secure environment isolated and away from any healthy birds

  • follow strict biosecurity

  • follow all instructions by authorities and regulatory agencies

  • do not force water or food in conscious birds

  • in conscious and aware birds, warm water can be gently dropped along the tomia (edges of upper and lower beak) to encourage normal licking and swallowing

  • once water is accepted, warm sugar water (1:4 sugar to warm water) can be alternated

  • do not offer free-access water until they are able to regain normal posture

  • offer food only after they are hydrated

  • contact appropriate rescue if/when possible ASAP

  • minimal handling using proper PPE

  • visual or audible contact with other birds is desirable

  • testing and identification of the infectious agent(s) is absolutely required


Likely Outcomes

  • with correct veterinary management, some pathogens respond and birds can be saved and released back to the wild

  • some contagious disease requires euthanasia as a mater of legal instruction and regulations