Studies on reactivation and transmission of pigeon herpes virus (PHV) for raising PHV-free pigeons (Columba livia dom.).

For raising pigeons free of herpes virus infection, 12 parental pigeons were monitored for shedding of pigeon herpes virus (PHV) during 18 weeks of reproduction. In most of the birds only a sporadic virus excretion, which was never associated with clinical signs could be observed. However, three out of seven squabs raised by their parents became infected during the first 3 weeks of life and all seven became PHV seropositive within 4 months. Therefore, we raised seven squabs hatched in an incubator by hand using heat-inactivated crop milk. By this method we were able to obtain pigeons free of PHV infection, i.e. no virus could be isolated during the first 5 weeks of life and they remained seronegative during an observation period of 8 months. These animals have been assigned to breed a live-stock of PHV -free pigeons, necessary for studies on the pathogenesis of PHV and other pathogens.