FREQUENCY OF BEAK AND FEATHER DISEASE VIRUS IN CAPTIVE HEALTHY GREY PARROTS (PSITTACUS ERITHACUS) IN PORTUGAL

Resumo

Beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) is responsible for the psittacine beak and feather disease, which affects Psittaciformes, including the Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus). Captive birds can act as reservoirs of BFDV, which may have important implications for wildlife endangered species and vice versa. Updated knowledge about the local BFDV frequency and breeders’ attitudes towards this disease is paramount to create strategies to reduce BFDV dissemination. The main aim of this study was to estimate the frequency of BFDV in asymptomatic captive P. erithacus kept in Portugal. Blood samples were collected from 100 asymptomatic P. erithacus kept in ten private bird collections from mainland Portugal. After DNA extraction, the presence of BFDV DNA was assessed by nested PCR. Information regarding the bird's living conditions was also collected. BFDV DNA was detected in 8 samples, accounting for a frequency of 8%. Notably, 60% (6/10) of the private bird collections had at least one BFDV positive bird. This study brings new and updated information about the captive fauna of P. erithacus in Portugal. The detection of 8% asymptomatic positive birds highlights the importance of captive birds as reservoirs of this virus. Furthermore, the high number of BFDV affected collections is also a concern regarding BFDV dissemination.