PARROT DISEASE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18539, 9 April 1930, Page 13

PARROT DISEASE.

THE CHRISTCHURCH SCARE. By Telegraph—Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, April 8. Dr. Telford, Medical Officer of Health, has now satisfied himself that he has traced the last of the 26 parrots from Nicaragua sold in Christchurch. The bird died on March 13th. He considers that there is now little cause to fear a continued outbreak of psittacosis. BIRD DEALER SCEPTICAL. DISEASE IS “SNIFFLES." By Telegraph—Pres* Association. DUNEDIN, April 8. Mr Charles Bills, a recognised authority on parrots, expresses disbelief that the disease causing so many deaths in New Zealand is parrot fever. He states that the mortality among Mexicans and African greys has always been abnormally high, being due to transportation conditions, change of water, and the rigours of acclimatisation. He states that of the last shipment of 50 parrots to Dunedin, 40 died within two months. In his opinion the disease which is causing the present deaths is sniffles, the first sign of which is mucous at the nostrils. He further stated that the Wanganui district is notoriously unhealthy for parrots, a previous consignment there having died.