Field diagnosis of paramyxoviral infection in psittacines

There are about 356 species of psittacines in the world and number of people keeping parrots as pets is innumerable. In spite of the rapid growth of Indian aviculture industry, lack of proper field diagnosis of diseases in these birds is a burning issue faced by both veterinarians and owners. Paramyxoviral infection is a threat to the aviculture industry since it spreads quickly and results in high mortality. Differential diagnosis in parrots showing neurological and respiratory signs is of paramount importance. In the present study 11 parrots namely cockatiels and alexandrine parakeets showing neurological and respiratory signs were screened for the presence of paramyxoviral infection using NDV antigen lateral flow kits. All the birds tested were positive for paramyxoviral infection. These lateral flow kits can act as a good field diagnosis for paramyxoviral infection in psittacines. The present study was the first to use lateral flow kits to identify infectious causes of neurological signs in birds of Kerala