Avian Biosecurity · Research Summary

Psittacine bornavirus (PaBV) is an important pathogen in avian medicine and is associated with proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) in parrots. Understanding how PaBV persists on environmental surfaces is relevant to avian biosecurity, quarantine, cleaning and infection-control procedures in bird hospitals, breeding facilities and other professional avian environments.

A 2025 study investigated the persistence of psittacine bornavirus 4 (PaBV-4) on different materials and evaluated the effectiveness of commonly used disinfectants.

The study

Researchers examined the persistence of PaBV-4 viral RNA on materials representative of surfaces and objects that may occur in avian environments, including plastic, metal, wood and textile.

The study also evaluated different disinfection approaches to better understand how environmental contamination can be reduced.

Key findings

• PaBV-4 RNA was detected on plastic and metal surfaces for up to 72 hours after contamination.
• Virus recovered from plastic and metal after 72 hours remained infectious in cell culture.
• No viral RNA was recovered from the wood or cloth samples under the experimental conditions.
• Complete disinfectant coverage was more important than increasing contact time under the tested conditions.
• Viral RNA could also be transferred from a contaminated surface using a paper towel.

Why surface design matters

The findings illustrate why environmental surfaces should be considered as part of an avian biosecurity programme. Frequently contacted surfaces, equipment and housing materials may contribute to environmental contamination if cleaning and disinfection procedures are inadequate.

Surface design should therefore support thorough cleaning and allow disinfectants to reach the entire treated area

Practical implications for veterinary and animal facilities

For veterinary clinics, bird hospitals, breeding facilities and zoological collections, the findings support a broader approach to environmental hygiene: select surfaces with cleanability in mind, remove organic contamination thoroughly before disinfection, pay particular attention to flooring, and use cleaning and disinfection as complementary steps rather than relying on disinfectant alone.

Original scientific publication

Mencio CP, Williams K, Brightsmith DJ, Hamer SA (2025)
Persistence of Psittacine Bornavirus-4 Viral RNA Is Temperature Dependent in Aqueous Environments and Material Dependent in Non-Aqueous Environments
Veterinary Sciences, 12(11), 1065

DOI: 10.3390/vetsci12111065
PMID: 41295703

VIEW ORIGINAL RESEARCH →

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