Introduction

Paramyxovirus PMV-3 infects turkeys, occasionally chickens and psittacine cage birds. The infection is transmitted by birds, including wild bird contact and fomites. Vertical transmission does not usually occur. Mortality is usually low in poultry.

Signs

• Depression.
• Inappetance.
• Coughing.
• Drop in egg production (turkeys).
• Loss of shell pigment
• Nervous symptoms (psittacines).
• High mortality (cage birds).

Post-mortem lesions

• No specific lesions.

Diagnosis

Isolation in CE, HA+, HI with ND serum or DID (less cross reactions), IFA.

Treatment

No specific treatment, antibiotics to control secondary bacteria.

Prevention

Quarantine, biosecurity, all-in/all-out production. Vaccination has been used in turkeys but may not be cost-effective.