Isolation of a new avian paramyxovirus from a rock pigeon (Columba livia).

A hemagglutinating agent identified as paramyxovirus was isolated from the respiratory organs of a rock pigeon captured in Hokkaido, Japan. The virus was serologically distinct from the known members of genus Paramyxovirus. Of the 160 pigeons collected in Hokkaido, 6 possessed the antibodies to the virus. The virus was designated as Paramyxovirus/pigeon/Otaru/76.