Polyomavirus in parrots
Other names: Polyoma، Budgerigar fledgling disease، French molt (partly)
Symptoms
- Sudden death of chicks before weaning within 24–48 hours
- Lethargy and crop stasis
- Subcutaneous hemorrhage and abdominal distension
- Feather deformity in surviving budgies (resembles French molt)
- Adults are often asymptomatic but transmit the infection
How it spreads
Droppings, feather dander, secretions; adult carriers transmit to chicks in the nursery; utensils and hands.
Diagnosis
PCR (DNA probe) of a cloacal swab and blood; virus-neutralizing antibody test; necropsy of dead chicks.
Treatment
Supportive care only.
Prevention
90-day quarantine with testing, strict hygiene, limiting entry to the nursery, do not house budgies or lovebirds with other species; in an outbreak: stop breeding for 6 months and disinfect thoroughly; a vaccine is available (not always available in Egypt — check). Vaccine: one commercial inactivated vaccine (Psittimune APV – Creative Science, USA) registered with the USDA; a 2026 review found no peer-reviewed studies proving it reduces mortality and said it is effectively unavailable in Europe. In Egypt: an old Egyptian veterinary page says it is not available — consider it unavailable unless proven otherwise; rely on quarantine, PCR and hygiene.
Treatment and doses are decided by an avian vet after an exam; Zajel does not publish doses.
Other diseases
- Psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD)
- Proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) / bornavirus
- Pacheco's disease (psittacid herpesvirus)
- Internal papillomatosis
- Avian pox
- Newcastle disease (bird paralysis)
- Avian influenza
- West Nile virus
Sources
- merckvetmanual.com
- mdpi.com
- aphis.usda.gov
- FACEBOOK (Egyptian vet page 'العياده البيطريه دوت كوم', ~2018, seen only as Google snippet): polyomavirus vaccine for parrots 'not available in Egypt'