Download PMV vaccination: Questions and Answers Dr. Colin Walker

PMV vaccination: Questions and Answers
Dr. Colin Walker
Melbourne Bird Veterinary Clinic
Ph: 03 9764 9000
This clinic is recommending vaccination of pigeons against PMV. The reason
for this is that a good way of controlling a disease is to vaccinate all
vulnerable birds. After all, if all birds are immune there are no birds to infect
and the disease dies out. A good example of a viral disease that was
eradicated through vaccination is human small pox. With no humans left to
infect, the disease disappeared.
Commonly Asked Questions
1. Will it be necessary to vaccinate regularly in the future?
Only if the current disease outbreak is not contained. Through failing to
vaccinate, the Melbourne pigeon community could potentially lose the
opportunity to eradicate the disease. Maintaining a large population of
vulnerable birds gives plenty of opportunity for the virus to establish and
persist. Vaccination reduces the incidence of disease, it does not increase
it.
2. Will vaccinated birds become carriers?
No. Following vaccination an immunity is formed and the vaccine strain of
virus is cleared from the system. A similar situation occurs after pigeon
pox vaccination.
3. Will my birds be harmed through being vaccinated?
Unlikely. Similar vaccines have been used in pigeons overseas with
minimal side effects. It is unlikely that our pigeons will react any differently.
However, a transient reduction in fertility can be expected in some
individual birds if birds are inoculated during the breeding season. In my
opinion, a comparatively mild reaction compared to the risk of having the
entire stock loft die.
4. What will happen to nestlings if I vaccinate their parents?
It is likely that nestlings will be exposed to the vaccine virus by their
parents. Adverse reactions to this vaccine virus are more likely to occur in
pigeons under 4 weeks of age. By choice, we would not routinely
vaccinate during the breeding season but in the face of the current
outbreak it may be better to risk some side effects in some nestlings in
order to protect the stock birds.
5. What happens if I do not vaccinate?
Your birds will remain vulnerable to infection. In other lofts where the virus
has gained entry, mortalities of up to 100% have occurred.
6. Will the vaccine strain of virus become established in our pigeons?
Unlikely. It is very likely that the virus has entered our pigeon population in
the past. The vaccine is widely used in chickens. Where chickens and
pigeons mix there is the potential for transfer of the vaccine virus. The
vaccine virus can also be transferred by people via clothing etc and other
means. The virus has not previously established and if it has, has not
caused harm. The vaccine virus does not have a harmful effect on wild
birds.
7. Will vaccinated pigeons infect non-vaccinated pigeons?
Yes, for several weeks. Birds vaccinated with a live virus in a vaccine will
shed that virus after a period of time and have the potential to infect other
birds while they develop immunity. This is thought to occur for several
weeks with this vaccine. A similar situation occurs following pigeon pox
vaccination but vaccinated birds are infectious for longer, up to six weeks.
8. Should I vaccinate my birds?
This is a decision for the fancier. It depends really on what risk he is
prepared to accept. Fanciers should keep in mind that PMV is not a
disease like pigeon pox. Pox is essentially a skin disease with very low
mortality. If PMV gains entry, fanciers risk losing their entire stock.
If fanciers have further questions, these can be directed to the staff of the
Melbourne Bird Veterinary Clinic on 03 9764 9000.