Deadly bird virus PaBV-4 identified for first time in India, Pg13

Key Highlights:

• Parrot Bornavirus 4 (PaBV-4) has been identified and genetically characterized for the first time in India among captive psittacine birds.
• The study, led by scientists from the Assam Veterinary and Fishery University, Guwahati, raises concerns for the health of exotic pets and the conservation of threatened parrot species.
• PaBV-4 causes Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD), a largely fatal viral condition affecting the digestive and nervous systems of birds.
• The virus was detected in 44 out of 83 tested birds across aviaries in Assam, Karnataka, and West Bengal, including apparently healthy individuals.
• The global trade in psittacine birds is suggested as a key factor in the virus's spread, as the detected strain is identical to those found internationally.

PaBV4.png

Detailed Insights:

• Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD), also known as "macaw wasting syndrome," was first described in 1978 and is an incurable viral disease primarily affecting psittacine birds.
• PaBV-4 is a highly contagious, single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the species Orthobornavirus alphapsittaciforme, which is considered a significant threat to psittacine aviculture.
• The virus can be shed intermittently in feces, saliva, and nasal secretions, and many infected birds can be asymptomatic carriers, silently spreading the infection.
• The study found PaBV-4 in nine psittacine species, some of which are classified as near-threatened to endangered, highlighting risks to captive breeding programs.
• The uniform genetic profile of PaBV-4 across Indian regions and its similarity to strains in Canada, Israel, Japan, South Korea, and the U.S. points to the role of international bird trade in its dissemination.
• India's Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, primarily protects native species, but amendments in 2022 (effective April 2023) and new rules in 2024 aim to regulate exotic species, especially those listed under CITES.
• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has introduced rules for reporting and registration of exotic wild animals to manage the growing exotic pet trade.
• The exotic pet trade in India, driven by demand for parrots, poses risks of zoonotic disease transmission and ecological impact if escaped pets establish wild populations.
• CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) regulates the international trade of endangered species, with many parrot species listed in its Appendices.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Parrot Bornavirus 4 (PaBV-4): A highly contagious RNA virus that is the primary cause of Proventricular Dilatation Disease in psittacine birds.
• Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD): A fatal viral condition in birds, characterized by inflammation of the nerves affecting the digestive and nervous systems.
• Psittacine Birds: An order of birds (Psittaciformes) that includes parrots, macaws, cockatoos, and parakeets, known for their strong curved beaks and clawed feet.
• Orthobornavirus alphapsittaciforme: The specific species of avian bornavirus to which PaBV-4 belongs, recognized for its significant veterinary relevance in psittacine aviculture.