On
October 12, 1999, Dr. Ernest Zirkle, DVM, Director,
Division of Animal Health, New Jersey Department
of Agriculture, issued the following notice to
all pigeon fanciers in New Jersey: Recently, a
few pigeon fanciers reported unusual behavior in
their birds as well as some unexplained losses.
This led to an investigation by the Division of
Animal Health and the subsequent identification
by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) of the West Nile-like virus in a racing pigeon
from a flock in Middlesex County. Testing of additional
birds continues. Therefore, we are urging you NOT
to participate in pigeon racing outside of NJ until
after the first killing frost. We hope that this
cautious measure will prevent further transmission
of the virus to and from your birds. As you are
probably aware, the CDC has reported an outbreak
of the West Nile-like virus in New York, which
has made a number of New York residents sick. The
virus was first isolated and identified by the
CDC in late September in birds that died in and
around New York City. The virus has since been
isolated from a number of dead crows and other
birds, including 34 crows and one pigeon from NJ.
Crows in Hunterdon, Morris, Essex, Bergen, Middlesex
and Union Counties have also tested positive while
two birds from Mercer County tested negative for
the virus. The virus is transmitted through the
bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus
by feeding on an infected bird. Ticks which may
infest your birds are probably capable of transmitting
the virus as well. Birds, therefore, play a significant
role in the life cycle of this virus. Any methods
you can use to decrease the exposure of your birds
to mosquitoes is recommended. If you have observed
unexplained behavior or death in your birds, please
contact us so that we may assist you in determining
the cause, and help eliminate future losses. The
West Nile-like virus generally causes a milder
disease than other encephalitis viruses in humans.
It is unlikely that the virus can be transmitted
from birds to humans during routine handling, but
we recommend that you wear gloves for routine procedures. We
appreciate your cooperation in the matter. Ernest
W. Zirkle, D.V.M.
Phone: (609) 292-3965
Fax: (609) 777-8395
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