Characterization of a canarypox virus from an outbreak among canaries (Serinus canaria domesticus) in Lebanon

A canarypox outbreak resulted in the death of about 50% of canaries (Serinus canaria domesticus) in several breeding farms in Lebanon. Infected birds showed thickened eye lid and skin scab-like lesions at the beak, foot and caudal regions and died 5–6 days post disease symptoms onset. Out of seven sick birds that were autopsied for gross pathology evaluation, one bird demonstrated turbid airsacs with absence of any lesions in the trachea, oesophagus, liver and lung. Histopathological examination showed hyperplasia, heterophils infiltration and Bollinger body formation in the skin of five out of the seven autopsied canaries. Hyperplasia and infiltration of heterophils were also observed in the airsacs of one bird. PCR analysis of specimens taken from the skin and feet, targeting the fpv167 gene of the canarypox virus, was positive for all of the analyzed canaries. PCR analysis also revealed that two birds had concurrent infection with Mycoplasma gallisepticum. Sequencing and alignment of the amplified fpv167 gene of the canarypox showed 100% similarity with the Iranian canary pox isolate IR/H913/14. Smuggling of pet birds through the borders should be strictly controlled and biosecurity measures must be adequately applied to control the circulation of the two identified pathogens