It is thought the disease either originated in Australia or South Africa. No one is 100% sure. A variant from BFVD (Beak and Feather Disease Virus) PBFD (Psittacine (meaning hook bill or parrot)Beak and Feather Disease was first officially recorded in Australia in 1975 by Dr. Ross Perry. There were noted cases of the typical signs in birds recorded long before this in the 1800's.
There are many other mutations of the disease reported in Budgies, Canaries, Crows, Chickens and other birds. Where it first originated is much in research as where human AIDS originated.
In Australia and South Africa the disease is classed as epidemic. Many species of Wild Psittacines are bordering on extinct. One example is the Australian Black Cockatoo.
It is a Circovirus of which there are many variants, all affecting different species of birds.
Much research is being done on producing a vaccine. At present there is only a Recombinant vaccine, achieved from the blood of birds that have built a natural immunity to the disease.
Baculovirus expression of beak and feather disease...[J Virol Methods. 2007] - PubMed Result
There is much hype on the internet about a vaccine available, but it is not true.
The public needs to be educated about the disease, donate towards looking for a possible vaccine, but most of all, not to treat these poor birds as if they are lepers, similar to how people first treated humans with AIDS, LEPROSY, etc. to care for them in contained environments as much as possible.
There are no quarantined bird rescues in Australia. Many in Australia are as ignorant and in denial of any problems with our wildlife as they are in other countries. Australia has the worst record of destroying our native wildlife than any other country.