Understand the disease that causes ‘zombie pigeons’; The epidemic has already occurred in SP

The emergence of videos of “zombie” pigeons has raised concerns about why the animals are showing symptoms such as twisted necks and head shaking. Cases recently detected in the UK are related to pigeon paramyxovirus, also known as PPMV.

According to public health officials, the infection is endemic among the pigeon population worldwide, and cases with high mortality and neurological symptoms have been reported in Asia, Europe and North America.

According to the UK government, PPMV is very contagious. Therefore, birds that share the same loft tend to show clinical signs at the same time.

See below for basic information on pigeon paramyxovirus.

Disease registration in Brazil

In 2019, some pigeons were found already dead or dying near the Zoonosis Control Center in the city of São Paulo.

According to a publication by the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP), in June of this year, a study led by a multidisciplinary team found that the cases were related to avian paramyxovirus type 1, also known as Newcastle disease virus.

The finding, however, was that the outbreak was related to the genotype named. VI.2.1.2, a variant usually fatal to pigeons. Also, according to the publication, the virus has been circulating quietly in Brazil since 2014.

disease symptoms

Symptoms of pigeon paramyxovirus infection include:

• Nervous symptoms such as fluttering of wings and head and twisting of neck;
• Partial paralysis of the wings and legs. This can cause falls during flight and landing, as well as malnutrition;
• Moist, liquid stool (diarrhea), in most cases a greenish color, restlessness, loss of appetite and unwillingness to move.

dissemination

The disease is spread through direct contact between pigeons and by:

• Pigeon carrier crates that have not been properly cleaned and disinfected;
• Drinking water in lofts and transport boxes;
• Pigeon fanciers (carrier pigeon breeders) who spread the virus from contaminated clothing, hands and feet;
• Contact of wild pigeons with pigeons reared in lofts.

prevention and control

The disease can be prevented in the following ways:

• Vaccination of pigeons against the disease;
• Strict biosecurity practices in facilities, especially in lofts.

On its website, the British government informs organizers of events involving pigeons, such as presentations and races, about mandatory vaccination for any participating animals. It also determines that racing pigeon breeders must keep a record of every event the animal attends.