Isolation of the pigeon PMV-1 variant of Newcastle disease virus from imported pheasants (Phasianus colchicus).

Isolation of a virulent pigeon paramyxovirus 1 (PPMV-1) strain of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) from pheasants imported for release is reported. Although no clinical signs or postmortem lesions suggesting NDV infection were detected, the intestine was processed for attempted virus isolation as part of a surveillance programme on wild-bird populations. The potential role of pheasants as carriers of the disease, and the importance of developing surveillance programmes for wild bird populations is discussed.