Pox infection among captive peacocks.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Avian Pathology
• Zoological Park Disease Outbreaks

Background:

• Avian pox is a viral disease affecting birds, caused by Avipoxvirus.
• Captive bird populations in zoological parks are susceptible to infectious diseases.
• Disease outbreaks in zoological collections can have significant morbidity and mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the causative agent of an avian pox outbreak in captive peacocks.
• To characterize the isolated virus and determine its properties.
• To assess the pathogenicity of the virus in different avian species.

Main Methods:

• Clinical observation of affected peacocks and recording of lesions, morbidity, and mortality.
• Isolation and propagation of the causative virus in chicken embryo cell cultures and on chorioallantoic membranes.
• Characterization of viral properties including hemagglutination, ether sensitivity, and chloroform sensitivity.
• Experimental inoculation of chickens and turkeys to assess pathogenicity.

Main Results:

• An outbreak of avian pox occurred in 60 captive peacocks, with 45 affected (75% morbidity) and 8 deaths (13% mortality).
• Lesions were observed around the beaks and eyes of affected peacocks.
• The isolated virus produced characteristic pox lesions in chicken embryos and cell cultures, was ether resistant, chloroform sensitive, and did not agglutinate erythrocytes.
• Chickens developed localized pox lesions, while turkeys showed only mild swelling.

Conclusions:

• The outbreak was caused by an avian pox virus, likely a strain of Avipoxvirus.
• The virus exhibited properties consistent with known poxviruses but showed differential pathogenicity in chickens and turkeys.
• This study highlights the risk of poxvirus outbreaks in captive bird collections and provides characterization of the etiological agent.