An outbreak of disease in pigeons associated with a herpesvirus

An outbreak of disease in young pigeons associated with a herpesvirus is reported. The clinical history, macroscopic and microscopic appearance of lesions and virus isolation are described. Most affected birds showed lesions in the upper alimentary tract epithelium as well as in skin, nasal mucosa and salivary glands. Lesions in liver, spleen and pancreas were uncommon. A herpesvirus capable of producing CPE on tissue culture and lesions on chorioallantoic membrane of developing chicken embryos was isolated and described. Inoculation of experimental pigeons with the virus failed to reproduce the disease.