{"id":2602,"date":"2022-11-30T00:40:06","date_gmt":"2022-11-30T00:40:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/racingpigeonsport.com\/?p=2602"},"modified":"2022-11-30T12:32:34","modified_gmt":"2022-11-30T12:32:34","slug":"pigeon-pox","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racingpigeonsport.com\/pigeon-pox\/","title":{"rendered":"Pigeon pox"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Pox virus is not usually serious and occurs in pigeon flocks and feral pigeons worldwide.Increased incidence of pigeon pox is observed in humid summer and warm winter weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How the pigeon pox virus spreads<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pox is spread by insects and through fighting. The usual mode of transmission is fighting,when the beak of an infected bird simultaneously breaks the skin and leaves a small amountof saliva containing the virus behind. For birds to become infected, the virus needs a breakin the skin or mucous membrane lining the mouth or eyelid to gain entry. For this reasonmost lesions are around the eyes and beak, and cocks are more frequently infected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, birds with the disease excrete the virus in tears, saliva and sometimes theirdroppings. At certain times the virus is also found in the blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mosquitoes and other blood-sucking insects can also transmit the disease but can usuallyonly gain access to the un-feathered parts of the body and so cause lesions around the headand on the legs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mites can also spread the virus and can also cause lesions to develop on the feathered partsof the body. When non-infected and infected birds share drinkers or bath water, the virus canbe transmitted through the water. When sharing bath water, the virus can infect the featherfollicle at the time the feather is emerging, and cause vesicles to form here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n