Hygiene Protocols for the Prevention and Control of Diseases (Particularly Beak and Feather Disease) in Australian Birds
The interpretation of test results is a sophisticated process that requires years of training and consideration of many variable relationships (eg, immunology, epidemiology, microbiology, nutrition, species, age, spectrum of clinical signs, and so on).
Recommendations for strategies to respond to test results should be given by knowledgeable laboratory personnel or avian veterinarians.
In the event that an exotic disease is suspected (Newcastle disease, avian influenza, West Nile virus clinical infection, duck virus enteritis (duck plague) or duck virus hepatitis), or mycobacteriosis, notify the nearest Regional Veterinary Officer (RVO) by telephone from the outbreak property.
If you cannot contact the RVO, then telephone the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888 (24 hours).
For any death involving sampling, the state government wildlife authority, DEH and the Australian Wildlife Health Network (AWHN) should be notified:
- of the death;
- that specimens have been collected and forwarded to a laboratory; and
- of all laboratory results.
For normal reporting (as in an annual report) , the same as above, as well as all active participants (eg, Taroona, Adelaide Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary) and stakeholders.
On receiving test results confirming the presence of a particular disease, the following strategies may be taken:
- Internal and external parasites (PDF - 24 KB)
- Pacheco’s disease virus (PDF - 10 KB)
- Chlamydophila psittaci (PDF - 23 KB)
- Avian Gastric Yeast (Macrorhabdus ornithogaster) (PDF - 9 KB)
- Avian polyomavirus (APV) (PDF - 9 KB)
- Newcastle disease and avian influenza viruses (PDF - 9 KB)