This is the latest update from the Victorian DPI. PMV1 has now been found in one raptor, probably from consuming an infected feral pigeon, and a dove.
• There has been one new infected property this week. A total of 66 properties have been infected to date. Of these, 47 have now been resolved. There have been no new cases identified outside of Melbourne.
• There have been five more confirmed or suspect cases of Paramyxovirus 1 (PMV1) in feral pigeons, bringing the total to 57 cases. All cases thus far have occurred in greater metropolitan Melbourne.
• PMV1 has been isolated from the tissues of a sick collared sparrow hawk (Accipiter cirrocephalus) – a raptor native to Australia. This is the first time a native species has been detected as infected with PMV1 during the course of this outbreak. PMV1-infected feral pigeons had previously been confirmed in the immediate area (central Melbourne) and it is
likely that infection in the sparrow hawk may be the result of high virus challenge associated with recent predation on diseased pigeons. PMV1 spread in native bird populations isc onsidered unlikely but addi tional sporadic infections may occur as the result of predation.
Overseas, rare infections of PMV-1 in raptor species have been detected as a result of predation on infected pigeons.
• PMV1 has also been confirmed in a spotted turtle dove (Streptopelia chinensis) in theMelbourne area. The bird was also seen in close proximity to feral pigeons which had previously been diagnosed as PMV1 positive in late December 2011.
• The last confirmed case of PMV1 occurred on 25 January 2012.
• DPI’s activities are focused on releasing cleared properties from quarantine and communicating the extension of the ban, however, new reports of sickness and death in pigeons continue to be investigated.
• Natural infection has not been detected in chickens or any species other than pigeons.