Avian Polyomavirus 10624 Papovavirus, Budgerigar fledgling disease, Psittacine polyomavirus Avian polyomavirus (AVP) primarily affects young birds. It is a primary infectious cause of nestling psittacine mortality, especially in mixed collections and open aviaries. The typical presentation is a well-fleshed juvenile, just prior to fledgling age, with acute onset of lethargy, crop stasis, and death within 24-48 hr. Subcutaneous hemorrhages are often noted when injections are administered. Asymptomatic adults may be carriers. Prevalence of the virus in adult psittacines, including budgerigars, is thought to be high. Gross necropsy findings in deceased chicks often include pale skeletal musculature and subcutaneous ecchymotic hemorrhages. The kidneys and liver are enlarged and may be pale, congested, and mottled, or have pinpoint, white foci. Petechial or ecchymotic hemorrhages may also be present on viscera, particularly the heart. The heart is sometimes enlarged and may show hydropericardium. Intranuclear inclusion bodies are often seen in the liver, kidneys, heart, spleen, bone marrow, uropygial gland, skin, feather follicles, etc. DNA probe testing of blood and of choanal and cloacal swabs from live birds are also commonly performed. Control methods include not housing budgerigars or lovebirds on the premises of psittacine breeding facilities, monitoring standard hygiene procedures closely, preventing access to the nursery by visitors or any returned bird or outside bird, using biosecure shipping containers, not allowing retailers or wholesalers to mix neonates from multiple sources in the same airspace, and using 90-day quarantine procedures for all birds entering the flock. Screening should first be done to ensure that AVP is not already present. This involves collection of cloacal and choanal swabs for PCR testing for viral shedding and blood for virus-neutralizing antibody to identify birds with previous viral exposure. A vaccine is available, and the first dose may be given as early as 4 wk old to properly complete the vaccination series and allow full immunity to develop (Merck Vet Manual: Avian Polyomavirus). Baboon Papio cynocephalus 9556 Bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus 447135 Bear Ursus americanus 9643 Birds Passeroidea 175121 Brown Trout Salmo trutta 8032 Buffalo Bison bison 9901 Carnivores Vulpes 9625 Cat Felis catus 9685 Catfishes Siluriformes 7995 Cattle Bos taurus 9913 Chicken Gallus gallus 9031 Chimpanzee Pan troglodytes 9598 chinchillas Chinchillidae 10150 Copper Pheasant Syrmaticus soemmerringii 9067 Deer Cervus elaphus 9860 Deer mouse Peromyscus maniculatus 10042 Dog Canis familiaris 9615 Ducks Anas 8835 Ferret Mustela putorius furo 9669 Fish Hyperotreti 117565 Gerbil Gerbillina 10045 Goat Capra hircus 9925 Gray wolf Canis lupus 9612 Guinea pig Cavia porcellus 10141 Hamster Mesocricetus auratus 10036 Horse Equus caballus 9796 Human Homo sapiens 9606 Macaque Macaca fascicularis 9541 Mongolian Gerbil Meriones unguiculatus 10047 Monkey Platyrrhini 9479 Mouse Mus musculus 10090 None None Parrot Psittacidae 9224 Pig Sus scrofa 9823 Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus 9986 Rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss 8022 Rat Rattus 10114 Raven Corvus corax 56781 sei whale Balaenoptera borealis 9768 Sheep Ovis aries 9940 Squirrel Spermophilus richardsonii 37591 Tree shrew Tupaiidae 9393 Trouts, salmons & chars Salmoninae 504568 Turkey Meleagris gallopavo 9103 Vole Microtus ochrogaster 79684 Water buffalo Bubalus bubalis 391902 Avian Polyomavirus Budgerigar Fledgling Disease vaccine Live, attenuated vaccine Research subcutaneous and intramuscular An inactivated avian polyomavirus vaccine is safe and immunogenic in various Psittaciformes. (Ritchie et al., 1996) subcutaneous and intramuscular Stock strain of budgerigar fledgling disease virus (Ritchie et al., 1996) Avian Polyomavirus Killed Virus Vaccine (USDA: 1A15.00) Biomune Company VO_0001785 Inactivated or "killed" vaccine Licensed USA Merck Vet Manual: Avian Polyomavirus website http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/170221.htm