Parrot virus has been identified.

[Guest guest]

Here's an interesting article about achalasia in parrots:

http://www.healthnewsdigest.com/news/Research_270/Parrots_Offer_Clues_to_Human_E\

sophageal_Disorder.shtml

" Domestic parrots, macaws, and related species of birds bred in colonies for

sale are vulnerable to a disease with many of the same symptoms as

achalasia. "

Using virus genome sequencing, " the researchers discovered a previously

unknown virus that they called avian bornavirus in birds that had the

disease. "

" This raises the possibility that viral infection might be a trigger in the

human disease as well. "

" The team emphasizes that the bird virus is not the cause of human

achalasia, and it has not yet identified a virus specifically linked to

patients with achalasia " but they are using virus genome sequencing to

search for one.

Of course it's likely that achalasia in humans (and maybe parrots too) has

more than one cause, so even if a human achalasia virus or viruses are

identified, that might not explain it for everyone. Still I think it's

interesting that they were able to identify a specific virus that is related

to achalasia in parrots.

in PA