Polyoma is also very resistant to many disinfectants, however, chlorine bleach is thought to be effective, as well as sodium hypochlorite. Closed aviaries are encouraged for people who wish to breed birds, in order to avoid infections. Any new birds entering the aviary should be tested for Polyoma and other diseases while in quarantine, and no visitors should be permitted into the aviary. A bird, which is shedding APV, can be kept as a pet, but only in a situation where it does not expose other birds, particularly neonates, to the virus. Any chicks that die in the nest for no apparent reason should be taken, within 24 hours or sooner, to an avian pathologist for necropsy.
Fresh samples are necessary to identify the virus.
Live birds can be tested for APV by an avian veterinarian, however, the testing is not cheap as samples must be sent to the U. S. A. for analysis. The best defense is prevention. Education about this infection is the first line of defense in protecting our feathered friends. In closing, Polyoma is out there, yes, it can have devastating effects but it can also be managed. We can cut down the incidence of this virus by how we manage our own aviaries.