Mystery illness kills thousands of pigeons

In January and February, deaths have been recorded in more than 20 racing-pigeon lofts in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, with owners reporting mortality rates of about 40 per cent, says bird vet Dr Colin Walker.He said the most severe case was at a loft of 800 birds, where 500 had died from the unknown illness.Tissue tests of dead birds have ruled out diseases including avian influenza, Newcastle disease, rota virus and pigeon paramyxovirus (PMV). “We have a disease that seems to be spreading rapidly…



Click here to view the original article.