The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) received follow-up report no. 4 on Friday, 27 January. The affected population consists of a spotted turtle dove and a sparrow hawk.

PMV-1 infection has been confirmed in a sparrow hawk (Accipiter cirrocephalus) in close contact with known infected pigeons in urban Melbourne. Sparrow hawks are known to feed on pigeons in Australia.

PMV-1 infection has also been confirmed in a feral spotted turtle dove (Streptopelia chinensis). In the Victorian urban environment spotted turtle doves are commonly found in close association with feral pigeons.

Occasional cases of APMV-1 in hobby and feral pigeons in Victoria continue to be reported.

The event remains limited to Victoria.

Important note by the OIE Animal Health Information Department: According to Chapter 10.9 of the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code (2011), the notification of this event does not change the Newcastle disease free status of Australia and should not affect trade of poultry and their products since the birds involved in this event do not fall within the OIE definition of poultry.

The source of the outbreak remains unknown.

Further Reading

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Find out more information on Newcastle disease by clicking here.