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Ko JCK, Choi YWY, Poon ESK, Wyre N, Sin SYW. Prevalence, genotypes, and infection risk factors of psittacine beak and feather disease virus and budgerigar fledgling disease virus in captive birds in Hong Kong. Arch Virol 2024; 169:91. [PMID: 38578455 PMCID: PMC10997714 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-024-06017-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Psittacine beak and feather disease virus (PBFDV) and budgerigar fledgling disease virus (BFDV) are significant avian pathogens that threaten both captive and wild birds, particularly parrots, which are common hosts. This study involved sampling and testing of 516 captive birds from households, pet shops, and an animal clinic in Hong Kong for PBFDV and BFDV. The results showed that PBFDV and BFDV were present in 7.17% and 0.58% of the samples, respectively. These rates were lower than those reported in most parts of Asia. Notably, the infection rates of PBFDV in pet shops were significantly higher compared to other sources, while no BFDV-positive samples were found in pet shops. Most of the positive samples came from parrots, but PBFDV was also detected in two non-parrot species, including Swinhoe's white-eyes (Zosterops simplex), which had not been reported previously. The ability of PBFDV to infect both psittacine and passerine birds is concerning, especially in densely populated urban areas such as Hong Kong, where captive flocks come into close contact with wildlife. Phylogenetic analysis of the Cap and Rep genes of PBFDV revealed that the strains found in Hong Kong were closely related to those in Europe and other parts of Asia, including mainland China, Thailand, Taiwan, and Saudi Arabia. These findings indicate the presence of both viruses among captive birds in Hong Kong. We recommend implementing regular surveillance for both viruses and adopting measures to prevent contact between captive and wild birds, thereby reducing the transmission of introduced diseases to native species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackie Cheuk Kei Ko
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yannes Wai Yan Choi
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Emily Shui Kei Poon
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Nicole Wyre
- Zodiac Pet & Exotic Hospital, 101A-103A Victoria Centre, 15 Watson Road, Fortress Hill, Hong Kong, China
| | - Simon Yung Wa Sin
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong, China.
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Blanco G, Morinha F, Carrete M, Tella JL. Apparent Lack of Circovirus Transmission from Invasive Parakeets to Native Birds. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19063196. [PMID: 35328884 PMCID: PMC8953828 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19063196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The transmission of pathogens to native species has been highlighted as one of the most important impacts of biological invasions. In this study, we evaluated the presence of psittacine beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) and other circoviruses in native bird species cohabiting with invasive populations of wild rose-ringed (Psittacula krameri) and monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) that were found positive for a particular BFDV genotype in Sevilla, southern Spain. None of the 290 individuals from the 18 native bird species captured showed typical signs of disease caused by BFDV. A sample of 79 individuals from 15 native species showed negative results for the presence of the BFDV genotype previously detected in the sympatric invasive parakeets, as well as any other of the circoviruses tested. Although preliminary, this study suggests a lack of circovirus transmission from invasive parakeets to native birds at the study site. Further research is needed to determine if this apparent absence in transmission depends on the BFDV genotype present in the parakeets, which requires additional screening in other invasive and native populations living in sympatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Blanco
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Francisco Morinha
- Morinha Lab—Laboratory of Biodiversity and Molecular Genetics, 5000-562 Vila Real, Portugal;
| | - Martina Carrete
- Department of Physical, Chemical and Natural Systems, University Pablo de Olavide, Ctra. de Utrera km. 1, 41013 Sevilla, Spain;
| | - José L. Tella
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Avda. Américo Vespucio, 41092 Sevilla, Spain;
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Mather E, Fogell DJ, McCready M, McInnes K, Ewen JG. Testing management alternatives for controlling nest parasites in an endangered bird. Anim Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- E. Mather
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London London UK
- Royal Veterinary College London UK
| | - D. J. Fogell
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London London UK
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology School of Anthropology and Conservation University of Kent Canterbury UK
| | - M. McCready
- Hihi Conservation Charitable Trust Wellington New Zealand
| | - K. McInnes
- Department of Conservation Conservation House – Whare Kaupapa Atawhai Wellington New Zealand
| | - J. G. Ewen
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London London UK
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Bozzuto C, Schmidt BR, Canessa S. Active responses to outbreaks of infectious wildlife diseases: objectives, strategies and constraints determine feasibility and success. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20202475. [PMID: 33234080 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.2475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging wildlife diseases are taking a heavy toll on animal and plant species worldwide. Mitigation, particularly in the initial epidemic phase, is hindered by uncertainty about the epidemiology and management of emerging diseases, but also by vague or poorly defined objectives. Here, we use a quantitative analysis to assess how the decision context of mitigation objectives, available strategies and practical constraints influences the decision of whether and how to respond to epidemics in wildlife. To illustrate our approach, we parametrized the model for European fire salamanders affected by Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, and explored different combinations of conservation, containment and budgetary objectives. We found that in approximately half of those scenarios, host removal strategies perform equal to or worse than no management at all during a local outbreak, particularly where removal cannot exclusively target infected individuals. Moreover, the window for intervention shrinks rapidly if an outbreak is detected late or if a response is delayed. Clearly defining the decision context is, therefore, vital to plan meaningful responses to novel outbreaks. Explicitly stating objectives, strategies and constraints, if possible before an outbreak occurs, avoids wasting precious resources and creating false expectations about what can and cannot be achieved during the epidemic phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Bozzuto
- Wildlife Analysis GmbH, Oetlisbergstrasse 38, 8053 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Benedikt R Schmidt
- Institut für Evolutionsbiologie und Umweltwissenschaften, Universität Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland.,info fauna karch, UniMail, Bâtiment G, Bellevaux 51, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Stefano Canessa
- Wildlife Health Ghent, Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
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Stojanovic D, Young C, Troy S, Heinsohn R. Evaluation of intervention aimed at improving reproductive success in Orange‐bellied Parrots
Neophema chrysogaster
: Lessons, barriers and successes. ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT & RESTORATION 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/emr.12422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Martens JM, Stokes HS, Berg ML, Walder K, Raidal SR, Magrath MJL, Bennett ATD. A non-invasive method to assess environmental contamination with avian pathogens: beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) detection in nest boxes. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9211. [PMID: 32566393 PMCID: PMC7293853 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Indirect transmission of pathogens can pose major risks to wildlife, yet the presence and persistence of wildlife pathogens in the environment has been little studied. Beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) is of global conservation concern: it can infect all members of the Psittaciformes, one of the most threatened bird orders, with infection often being lethal. Indirect transmission of BFDV through contaminated nest hollows has been proposed as a major infection source. However, data on whether and for how long nest sites in the wild remain contaminated have been absent. We determined the BFDV status of birds (parents and nestlings) for 82 nests of Crimson Rosellas, Platycercus elegans and Eastern Rosellas, Platycercus eximius. In 11 of these nests (13.4%, 95% confidence interval 6.9-22.7), we found an infected parent or nestling. Using nest swabs, we then compared BFDV presence at three points in time (before, during and after breeding) in three groups of nest boxes. These were nest boxes occupied by infected birds, and two control groups (nest boxes occupied by uninfected birds, and unoccupied nest boxes). Detection of BFDV on nest swabs was strongly associated with the infection status of parents in each nest box and with the timing of breeding. During breeding, boxes occupied by BFDV-positive birds were significantly more likely to have BFDV-positive nest swabs than boxes occupied by BFDV-negative birds; nest swabs tested BFDV-positive in 80% (28.4-99.5) of nests with parental antigen excretion, 66.7% (9.4-99.2) of nests occupied by parents with BFDV-positive cloacal swabs and 66.7% (22.3-95.7) of nests occupied by parents with BFDV-positive blood. 0% (0-52.2) of nests with BFDV-positive nestlings had BFDV-positive nest swabs. Across all boxes occupied by BFDV-positive birds (parents or nestlings), no nest swabs were BFDV-positive before breeding, 36.4% (95% CI 10.9-69.2) were positive during breeding and 9.1% (0.2-41.3) remained positive after breeding. BFDV was present on nest swabs for up to 3.7 months. Our study provides novel insights into the potential role of nest cavities and other fomites in indirect transmission of BFDV, and possibly other pathogens, and offers a non-invasive method for surveillance of pathogens in wild bird populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanne M Martens
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | - Helena S Stokes
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mathew L Berg
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ken Walder
- Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shane R Raidal
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael J L Magrath
- Wildlife Conservation and Science, Zoos Victoria, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew T D Bennett
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
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High Prevalence of Novel Beak and Feather Disease Virus in Sympatric Invasive Parakeets Introduced to Spain From Asia and South America. DIVERSITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/d12050192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) is a globally widespread infectious bird disease that mainly affects species within the Order Psittaciformes (parrots and allies). The disease is caused by an avian circovirus (the beak and feather disease virus, BFDV), which is highly infectious and can lead to severe consequences in wild and captive populations during an outbreak. Both legal and illegal trading have spread the BFDV around the world, although little is known about its prevalence in invasive parrot populations. Here, we analyze the BFDV prevalence in sympatric invasive populations of rose-ringed (Psittacula krameri) and monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) in Southern Spain. We PCR-screened 110 blood samples (55 individuals from each species) for BFDV and characterized the genotypes of five positives from each species. About 33% of rose-ringed parakeets and 37% of monk parakeets sampled were positive for BFDV, while neither species showed disease symptoms. The circovirus identified is a novel BFDV genotype common to both species, similar to the BFDV genotypes detected in several parrot species kept in captivity in Saudi Arabia, South Africa and China. Our data evidences the importance of an accurate evaluation of avian diseases in wild populations, since invasive parrots may be bringing BFDV without showing any visually detectable clinical sign. Further research on the BFDV prevalence and transmission (individual–individual, captive–wild and wild–captive) in different bird orders and countries is crucial to understand the dynamics of the viral infection and minimize its impact in captive and wild populations.
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Martens JM, Stokes HS, Berg ML, Walder K, Bennett ATD. Seasonal fluctuation of beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) infection in wild Crimson Rosellas (Platycercus elegans). Sci Rep 2020; 10:7894. [PMID: 32398741 PMCID: PMC7217931 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-64631-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding patterns of pathogen emergence can help identify mechanisms involved in transmission dynamics. Beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) poses a major threat world-wide to wild and captive parrots. Yet data from wild birds on seasonal fluctuations in prevalence and infection intensity, and thereby the potential high-risk times for virus transmission, have been lacking. We screened wild Crimson Rosellas (Platycercus elegans) for BFDV in blood and cloacal swabs. Prevalence in blood samples and cloacal swabs, as well as viral load varied with Julian date and in blood, were highest after the breeding season. Breeding birds had lower viral load and lower BFDV prevalence in blood than non-breeding birds (10.1% prevalence in breeding vs. 43.2% in non-breeding birds). BFDV prevalence was much higher in younger (<3 years) than older (≥3 years) birds for both blood samples (42.9% vs. 4.5%) and cloacal swabs (56.4% vs. 12.3%). BFDV status in blood and cloacal samples was not correlated within individuals. We show that, at least in P. elegans, BFDV infection seems to occur year-round, with seasonal changes in prevalence and load found in our samples. Our analyses suggest that the seasonal changes were associated primarily with the breeding season. We also discuss age and sex as important predictors of BFDV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanne M Martens
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, VIC, 3216, Australia.
| | - Helena S Stokes
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, VIC, 3216, Australia
| | - Mathew L Berg
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, VIC, 3216, Australia
| | - Ken Walder
- Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, School of Medicine, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, VIC, 3216, Australia
| | - Andrew T D Bennett
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, VIC, 3216, Australia
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