Pigeon paramyxovirus has been detected in a hobby pigeon flock in Western Sydney and follows numerous cases of the virus in domestic and feral pigeons in Victoria.
Swabs from the sick birds were sent to NSW DPI’s Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute for laboratory analysis and results confirmed pigeon paramyxovirus. It is believed that the virus may have been transmitted following the introduction of a new pigeon from Victoria into the flock late last month.
PMV 1 update: 22 December 2011 Time: 12:00 hrs. Issued by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries for the pigeon and related industries.
ANPA President Bob Grant reports: Dr J.Osuwu the Principal Evaluator APVMA and Dr S.Hamilton of DAFF have advised that the application to register the Paramyxovirus Vaccine will be treated as an emergency application and as such will be expedited and given top priority.
ANPA’s Victorian Vice-President Douglas McClary has prepared a discussion paper on the current PMV1 situation and the future of showing and Victorian members are asked to contact Doug other members should contact the Vice-Presidents in their own State with feedback.
Here is the latest report from the Victorian DPI, as well as a government response to ANPA’s submission regarding the need for and future of vaccination against the disease. As of 24 November, the Victorian DPI has placed 52 premises under quarantine, all where the pigeon paramyxovirus (PMV1) has been confirmed.
ANPA’s Victorian Vice President Douglas McClary has submitted the extensive report below on last Thursday’s PMV meeting in Melbourne.
ANPA President Bob Grant and Secretary Alan Strachan today sent a submission to the Federal Government on behalf of members seeking the fast tracking of PMV1 vaccine to Australia from overseas. It is published here.