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Parrot Disease Spreading via Horse Virus August 15, 2008

Posted by Andrew in : News , trackback

NewScientist reports that a new virus may be helping to spread the infamous Proventricular Dilatation Disease, or PDD.

The virus resembles the same type that causes “sad horse disease” in horses, which eventually leads to paralysis.

When Kistler’s team sequenced viruses in parrot tissue, they uncovered 16 completely new strains of borna viruses. These typically infect the brains and nerves of horses, causing “sad horse disease” because infected equines become listless and eventually paralysed.

The effort to stop this virus is centered around the endangered Spix’s Macaw (conservation status: EW), which there are approximately 70 in existence, in captivity only.

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Comments»

1. Andrew - August 19, 2008

Testing new Captcha system! ^___^

2. Recent Links Tagged With "parrots" - JabberTags - September 18, 2008

[...] public links >> parrots Parrot Disease Spreading via Horse Virus Saved by nadavcoh on Wed 17-9-2008 Parrots in Love Saved by icesnow on Wed 10-9-2008 Hemophilia [...]

3. [BLOCKED BY STBV] Joseph - October 18, 2008

virus…

Maybe, but I’m not sure it’for everyone….

4. VA Loans - December 29, 2008

Can it spread to Humans???