What is Avian Polyomavirus and how can I protect my bird from it?

Avian polyomavirus has been associated with devastating disease including severe depression and sudden death in many species of companion birds.  It has been shown to naturally infect birds from multiple continents and can cause rapid death in young psittacines, including parrots, macaws and cockatoos, as well as in budgerigars.  Since the early 1980’s it has been associated with budgerigar fledgling disease and French Moult (abnormal feather development) in budgerigars.  While young birds are more commonly affected, deaths have also been reported in mature eclectus parrots, cockatoos, lovebirds, and caiques.  Many young birds die suddenly, displaying no outward signs; others die 12 to 48 hours after a rapid onset of depression, delayed crop-emptying, regurgitation, diarrhea, passage of abnormally colored urates, and bleeding under the skin.  Necropsy of birds that have died form avian polyomavirus infection often reveals severe, virus-induced liver damage along with the disease signs mentioned. 

	Hand raised and pre-weaned psittacines are equally susceptible to avian polyomavirus.  Direct physical contact between birds is one way that avian polyomavirus can be transmitted, experimental data and observation in the field suggest that polyomavirus can be spread on clothing, hair, skin, toys, enclosures, contaminated feces, feather dust and secretions from the lungs or crop of infected birds.
	Adult breeding birds should be vaccinated twice several months before the onset of breeding with a two to three–week interval between vaccinations.  Regular booster vaccinations, as recommended by your veterinarian, can help the bird’s immune system maintain a strong and long-lasting defense.
	Chicks and fledglings should be vaccinated twice at two-week intervals.  The initial vaccination should be at 35 days of age and the second vaccination two weeks later.
	Companion birds should be vaccinated twice with a two to three-week interval between vaccinations.  Regular booster vaccinations, as recommended by your veterinarian, can help the bird’s immune system maintain a strong and long-lasting defense.
	Eradication of a widespread virus is difficult and has not been possible for avian polyomavirus.  To limit disease caused by avian polyomavirus, a complete and comprehensive vaccination program is essential.

Birds and Exotics Animal Care recommends an annual polyomavirus vaccine after the initial two vaccinations.  We will not board a bird if it does not have a current polyomavirus vaccination record.