The first isolation of the avian pmv‐1 virus responsible for the current panzootic in pigeons ?

Abstract
From a virus stock (designated BVC 78) of ‘viral encephalomyelitis of pigeons’ an avian paramyxovirus type 1 was isolated in 1981. This virus shares all known characteristics with paramyxoviruses which were later (1982/84) obtained from diseased pigeons in the panzootic in Europe and elsewhere. It appears that the BVC 78 virus represents the first isolate of the pigeon PMV‐1 viruses.