Abstract
Understanding patterns of pathogen emergence can help identify mechanisms involved in transmission dynamics. Beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) poses a major threat world-wide to wild and captive parrots. Yet data from wild birds on seasonal fluctuations in prevalence and infection intensity, and thereby the potential high-risk times for virus transmission, have been lacking. We screened wild Crimson Rosellas (Platycercus elegans) for BFDV in blood and cloacal swabs. Prevalence in blood samples and cloacal swabs, as well as viral load varied with Julian date and in blood, were highest after the breeding season. Breeding birds had lower viral load and lower BFDV prevalence in blood than non-breeding birds (10.1% prevalence in breeding vs. 43.2% in non-breeding birds). BFDV prevalence was much higher in younger (<3 years) than older (≥3 years) birds for both blood samples (42.9% vs. 4.5%) and cloacal swabs (56.4% vs. 12.3%). BFDV status in blood and cloacal samples was not correlated within individuals. We show that, at least in P. elegans, BFDV infection seems to occur year-round, with seasonal changes in prevalence and load found in our samples. Our analyses suggest that the seasonal changes were associated primarily with the breeding season. We also discuss age and sex as important predictors of BFDV infection.
Highlights
Emerging infectious diseases of wildlife pose a major threat to the conservation of global biodiversity[1,2]
We found a cubic relationship between date and Beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) prevalence
Disease outbreaks commonly show seasonal variation[3,5], yet BFDV is of major concern for the conservation of psittacines world-wide[12] and has been studied for decades, no study had tested for seasonal changes in prevalence of BFDV
Summary
Emerging infectious diseases of wildlife pose a major threat to the conservation of global biodiversity[1,2]. Possible seasonal fluctuations in BFDV prevalence have been discussed[26], but good data on seasonal prevalence and potential high-risk times are lacking Such data are necessary for a targeted, more effective pathogen management approach by conservationists, and could lead to a better understanding of BFDV infection dynamics. It has been proposed that BFDV prevalence in wild P. elegans might be influenced by time of year or season[33], but studies with systematic sampling throughout the year to investigate this have been lacking. Such screening can provide a foundation for targeted pathogen management plans and for studies on host susceptibility[12]. No study has investigated the patterns of BFDV prevalence between breeding and non-breeding birds, for a better understanding of BFDV prevalence dynamics throughout the year
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