EXAMINATION OF BUDGERIGARS

Southland Times, Issue 23336, 21 October 1937, Page 5

EXAMINATION OF BUDGERIGARS

PARROT DISEASE NOT TRACED NO CAUSE FOR ALARM (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, October 20. Exhaustive laboratory tests are being carried out under the direction of Dr Gilmour, pathologist at. the Auckland hospital, as the result of suspicion that the death of an Auckland woman budgerigar fancier was due to psittacosis or parrot disease. An examination of seven birds which were removed from her home by the Health Department has revealed no trace of the disease, but the tests will not be completed for several days. In the meantime there is stated to be no cause for alarm.

With psittacosis, regarded by medical authorities as a disease of unknown bacteriology, unusual difficulties are presented in conducting pathological investigations. That the first examinations should have revealed no apparent infection is regarded as an encouraging fact, but this result requires confirmation by a minute examination of the birds’ organs. Dr Hughes, medical officer of health at Auckland, said that psittacosis had occurred in a number of countries at different times and, in view of the many budgerigars which were kept by New Zealanders, any suggestion of an outbreak in the Dominion had to be regarded in a serious light. However, the death of the woman this week had not been proved to be due to the disease. There had been no mortality among the budgerigars at her home and there were no other obviously suspicious symptoms noticeable among them. So far as the tests had proceeded there was no conclusive evidence that the birds were suffering from psittacosis and there was no cause for alarm. However, in view of the occasional outbreaks in other countries. Dr Hughes added, there was need for care on the part of people who came into close contact with a member of the parrot family. Cages should be kept scrupulously clean and birds which appeared unwell should not be fondled. HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S ATTITUDE WELLINGTON, October 20. No action is to be taken by the Health Department about the report that an Auckland women’s death was accompanied by symptoms of psittacosis until the investigation of the case is completed. An official of the department referred to the rarity of the disease in the Dominion and to the current prohibition of the importation of birds of the parrot family. These factors, he said, made it advisable to treat the report with some reserve in the meantime. There is nothing to be gained by alarming owners of parrots and budgerigars. He thought it quite unnecessary to discuss possible precautions.