Polyomavirus: Prevent this deadly disease

Polyomavirus is an extremely serious and often life-threatening disease of all psittacines, or parrot-like birds, as well as finches. Often there are no other signs besides sudden death. Some species of birds may die after showing symptoms such as depression, decreased appetite, weight loss, regurgitation, diarrhea, dehydration, delayed crop emptying, and bleeding under the skin.

Now there is good news to help combat this terrible and once hopeless disease. A vaccine has recently been released.

The vaccine is safe too. Over 15,000 doses of the vaccine are in use and no serious adverse reactions have been reported. Some bird owners have questioned whether the vaccine itself given to one bird can infect other non-vaccinated birds. You can relax; this inactivated vaccine does not cause release of the virus, so it will not transmit the virus to unvaccinated birds.

We advise that all birds in a household or aviary be vaccinated, especially before shipping. Routinely, two initial doses are needed, then a yearly booster. A certificate of vaccination is given out too. Our avian veterinarian can recommend specific guidelines for you, but in general it is suggested:

• Vaccinate all birds, especially before shipping.
• Clean and disinfect the environment using Oxyfresh Cleansing Gele.
• Quarantine new birds for 60-90 days.
• Use separate feeding utensils for each baby and disinfect after each use