PARROT DISEASE

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 81, 5 April 1930, Page 8

PARROT DISEASE

/ A MEDICAL WARNING

Although so far as is known there has not been a case of psittacosis in. Now Zealand—psittacosis is a disease of parrots which may be communicated to human beings and prove fatal—■ the Department of Health has had an. investigation'made of tho deaths of a number of parrots imported into the Dominion in January last.

A report issued by the Health Department states: "The Medical Officer of Health at Wellington (Dr. T. E. Kitehio), having received informaton. that some parrots had died at Wanganui, proceeded there to investigate. It was found that a dealer had arrived at Auckland on 21st January with 75 Mexican green parrots from Nicaragua. Twelve of theso were sent to a Wanganui bird fancier, and a week or two later two of these were returned to a bird dealer in Auckland, and another bird was taken away from' Wanganui. Nino birds therefore remained at Wanganui, but they all sickened and died between the end of January and 23rd March. Fortunately none of the birds had been in contact with • any other birds on the premises and no parrots or love birds had been sold by tho Wanganui fancier since the nino parrots arrived. "The body of one- bird that died at Auckland was forwarded to Dr. Gilmour, bacteriologist, of the" Auckland Hospital, Dr. Gilinour's examination proved negative. Tho Department has also received information that a Wellington bird fancier acted as New Zealand agent for tho importer and that he received about 31 birds. Some of tho birds in the consignment died in transit to ■'Wellington. Only two birds wore sold locally and one of these has died. The balance 'of the 31 were taken on to Christchuveh by tho importer for disposal there. The Department has telegraphed Christchurch giving instructions for inquiries to bo made in that quarter. (<Tho Department views the matter in this way—that while at present thero is no bacteriological proof that tho disease from which tho birds died is psittacosis, the symptoms from which they suffered and the quick nature of the spread are not inconsistent with the disease. In view of the serious faoi that psittacosis itself can be conveyed to human beings with even fatal results, tho Department warns dealers or private persons who have recently bought parrots that if the birds are ailing they should bo .immediately des-. troyed. In tho caso of healthy birda handling and niouth-to-mouth feeding should be avoided. - '•'On the other hand, as regaTds domestic parrots generally which havo been in New Zealand over a considerable period, and havo. not been brought into contact with recent arrivals, thero is no reason for fear, but such practices as nioiith-to-moutli feeding and intimate handling should bo avoided at all times, and particularly just now, when parrots appear to bo suffering £fon\ this infectious and dangerous condition in some parts of the world.-^ ,