Pacheco’s disease is caused by a herpes virus. Many species of parrots (psittacines) are susceptible. Cockatoos and Amazon parrots are very susceptible to the infection and usually die, whereas conures, such as the Nanday and Patagonian conures, seem to be more resistant to the disease.
This disease has rarely been noted in pet birds since the Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1993. The virus has primarily been associated with smuggled birds, recently imported wild birds, or birds that have traveled outside the United States and Canada to Central or South America.
What are the signs of Pacheco’s disease?
Unfortunately, there are no clinical signs specific to Pacheco’s disease. Some birds may only show a brief period of lethargy and appetite loss before dying, whereas others may have polyuria (excessive watery droppings) or regurgitation of clear mucus. Many birds show no clinical signs and are simply found dead, apparently normal the day before.
Any sick bird could potentially be infected with Pacheco’s disease. It should be considered a possible cause of any sudden death in a pet bird that has been around another parrot species in the last seven days, especially if there were no clinical signs preceding death and the bird was in good condition.
How is Pacheco’s disease diagnosed?
It is not always possible to diagnose Pacheco’s disease before the bird’s death. If your bird dies, you should immediately contact an avian veterinarian. They will conduct a necropsy and send tissues to be examined under the microscope (histopathology). The virus can be detected on sections of the liver, kidneys, and intestines, or in laboratory testing of cloacal swabs or feces. When Pacheco’s disease is diagnosed after death, it is extremely important to treat other exposed birds.
How is Pacheco's disease treated?
Treatment is not usually effective, since birds with Pacheco’s disease often die suddenly. When there is a confirmed Pacheco’s virus death in an aviary or household of birds, an oral anti-herpesvirus drug should be administered to help reduce death rates in other exposed birds.
Can Pacheco’s disease be prevented?
Some birds, such as Nanday and Patagonian conures, may be carriers of the virus but never become ill. Consider removing these birds from your bird collection or at least house them separately from other species. Keep your pet birds away from any conures, Amazon parrots, or macaws that may have been brought into the U.S. or Canada illegally.
If you have a bird that died from Pacheco’s, thoroughly disinfect the environment and properly dispose of all feces to prevent transmission to other birds. There is currently no FDA-approved vaccine for Pacheco’s disease.
