Since many years are we as parrot-lovers all over the word, facing different problems of bird diseases. For many of these often fatal diseases we have now tests available to detect infected birds. 

Two years ago, researchers in America have demonstrated the existence of an Avian Bornavirus. This virus is held responsible for the feared Proventricular Dilation Disease (PDD).

Currently, this is one of the biggest threats among the parrots and other psittacine in captivity in the world. This so dreaded disease is now emerging in many places and has already caused many casualties is several breeding collections. Many "breeders" who have to deal with this disease have often sold their suspected birds, as long as they are still in good condition, to earn still some money, with all its negative consequences. 

There is a good chance that you sooner or later will have to deal with this disease and a large part of your collection can / will be lost. This is because there are birds that are infected with the virus, but they do not get sick or die. They can be carriers and can infect complete breeding collections. 

Since last year there is an unique diagnostic tests, developed by Prof. dr. G.M. Dorrestein of the NOIVBD in collaboration with Avans Life sciences university in Breda the Netherlands. These tests can shown whether a bird has become infected with the virus and, or possible is a shedder of this virus. These tests will tell you for a 100% whether a bird ever has been in contact with the Avian Bornavirus (ABV). This information is for you as a breeder or parrot fancier extremely important because an Avian Bornavirus free bird is currently is the only weapon against the dreaded disease as PDD. 

Since the beginning of 2010 this test is available for any parrot-owner and the first results are very promising. Suspect birds are much quicker to detect. Breeding collections can be screened, as well as new birds before they will be added to a collection as well as young birds before they are sold as pet birds. This will give the information whether a bird ever has been in contact with the Avian Bornavirus or not. 

PDD is a fatal disease that causes damage to the nervous system which results in addition to central nervous problems, also symptoms of a paralysis of the stomach and/or small intestine. The birds cannot digest the food, get emaciated and often shed undigested seeds in their droppings. They can show problems with balancing and show lack of coordination. 

The reason why we like to approach you in this way is that we as breeders and parrot-lovers have to get together to make further research and testing for this disease possible. 

Now we know the virus as the cause of PDD, now we can looking into very interesting follow-up studies on the distribution and transfer of this virus. Many questions arise like: why is the partner of a PDD bird negative; why do birds a few flights away die of PDD? Is the virus is also transmitted through eggs; what is the role of pests, etc.? 

To get better insight into the epidemiology a foundation created the “PDD RESEARCH FUND" with the aim of raising funds through private contributions, donations and actions of parrot-owners and -breeders like you and us. This is be able to fund further research, because there are no national or European funds yet available. 

Will we still have the opportunity to enjoy our collections of psittacines for many years, than we need NOW unanimously to make money available for this funding. 

We look forward to your involvement and understanding of these problems.

Best regards, 

PDD Research Fund 

Thiely the Moor 
Bert Smedinga 
Peter Bastiaansen