This is a tricky one that could go one way or the other. It really does look more like a simple, benign coloboma, as Marek's tends to cause miotic pupils (pinpoints) or what some of us have called 'amoeba' like shapes, where the pupil is more oval, or wavy looking.
If it is Marek's, and I'm not saying that it is, I have a few thoughts:
1. Since this neighbor lived pretty close to you, if she had Marek's on her property, you probably already did, too. It's not a certainty but that's close enough for the wind or sparrows and the like to carry it to your property,
2. The new birds are already with your flock, presumably, and so any damage has been done.
3. She is older (2+ right?) and if this is ocular Marek's, my understanding of the disease is that her body has already fought the the disease and avoided the stage where she could have had aggressive lymphomas, and she should not develop the horrible deadly cancerous symptoms that younger birds can get with Marek's. If she does have Marek's, she will carry it for life, and can pass it to others, but unless her immune system takes a hit (from other disease, stress, or old age) she probably won't have other symptoms. Marek's at this stage is latent, essentially, so think of it as an immune system suppressant. If she were to get sick, it would probably be from a secondary, opportunistic problem at this point in her life. A few people I've talked with have birds with ocular Marek's and they live quite happy lives.
So, I wouldn't worry too terribly much. Just watch all of your birds (new and old) for any problems. It is my gut feeling that you are okay-- the best thing you can do is to be in tune with your flocks' health and if your new birds will let you make friends with them so that you can periodically handle them, all the better.
If it is Marek's, and I'm not saying that it is, I have a few thoughts:
1. Since this neighbor lived pretty close to you, if she had Marek's on her property, you probably already did, too. It's not a certainty but that's close enough for the wind or sparrows and the like to carry it to your property,
2. The new birds are already with your flock, presumably, and so any damage has been done.
3. She is older (2+ right?) and if this is ocular Marek's, my understanding of the disease is that her body has already fought the the disease and avoided the stage where she could have had aggressive lymphomas, and she should not develop the horrible deadly cancerous symptoms that younger birds can get with Marek's. If she does have Marek's, she will carry it for life, and can pass it to others, but unless her immune system takes a hit (from other disease, stress, or old age) she probably won't have other symptoms. Marek's at this stage is latent, essentially, so think of it as an immune system suppressant. If she were to get sick, it would probably be from a secondary, opportunistic problem at this point in her life. A few people I've talked with have birds with ocular Marek's and they live quite happy lives.
So, I wouldn't worry too terribly much. Just watch all of your birds (new and old) for any problems. It is my gut feeling that you are okay-- the best thing you can do is to be in tune with your flocks' health and if your new birds will let you make friends with them so that you can periodically handle them, all the better.
