NO DEFINITE PROOF

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17228, 7 April 1930, Page 10

NO DEFINITE PROOF

j PARROT DISEASE IN N.Z. | A CAREFUL INVESTIGATION I I (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, last night. I Although so far as is known, A here ' has not been a case of psittacosis in New Zealand, the Department of Health lias had investigation mado of the deaths of a number of parrots imported into the Dominion in January. A report issued by the Health Department states that the Medical otiicer of Health at Wellington, Dr. T. K. Ritchie, having received information that some parrots had died at Wanganui, proceeded there to investPmvo. It was found that a dealer had arrived at Auckland on January •_’l with 7J Mexican green parrots from Nicaragua. Twelve of these were sent to a Wanganui bird fancier and a week or two later, two of these wore returned to the bird dealer in Auckland and another bird was taken nw.uv from Wanganui. Nine birds therefore remained" at Wanganui, but they all sickened and died between the end of January and March 23. i 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 the Wanganui fancier since the parrots arrived. The body of one bird that died at Auckland was forwarded to Dr. Gilmour, bacteriologist, of Auckland hospital. Dr. Gilmour’s examination proved negative. | WARNING TO OWNERS, j The department has also received information that a Wellington bird fancier acted as agent for an importer and that lie received about 31 birds. Some of the birds in the consignment died in transit to Wellington. Only two birds were sold locally and One of these died. The balance of the 31 were taken on to Christchurch by the importer for disposal. The department has also telegraphed to Rotorua giving instructions for inquiries to be made in that quarter.

The-department views the matter in this way: That, while at present there is no bacteriological proof that the disease from which the birds dic'd 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 fact that psittacosis itself flan be conveyed to human beings, with even faial results, the department warns dealers or private persons who have recently bought parrots that, it: the birds are ailing, they should be immediately destroyed. In the ease of healthy birds -contracting the disease, : mout h to mouth feeding should be avoided. On the other hand,’as regards domestic parrots generally, which have been in New Zealand over a considerable period, and have not been brought into contact with recent arrivals, there is no reason for fear, but such practices as mouth to mouth feeding and intimate handling should lie avoided at all times and particularly just now when parrots appear to ill* suffering from this infectious and dangerous condition in some parts of the world. / CHRISTCHURCH INQUIRIES (For Press Association.) CHRLSH'CHURCH, last night. Investigations are being made by the Health Department to trace tlie ownership of some parrots sold during February by Mr. P. V. Whitmore, some of them having belonged to a batch of Mexican green parrots brought to Auckland by Mr. White from Nicaragua in January; Thirty birds wore brought to Christchurch for disposal, but only a few were sold. Mr. Whitmore says the birds he sold were in excellent -health and condition and lie has no fear that they have since contracted disease. The unsold parrots sent to Mr. Whitmore by Air. White are not now in Mr Whitmore’s possession. He believes that they have been returned to Wanganui.