Help stamp out deadly virus by cleaning bird baths and tables
By Roland Batten
Comment | Read Comments (1)
Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs, male, perched on a branch. Picture by
Nigel Blake (rspb-images.com)
THERE is growing concern that a deadly virus may be sweeping the
countryside causing the deaths of hundreds of wild birds.
The disease is hitting finches and sparrows in particular and
scientists are urging householders to clean bird baths and bird tables
in a bid to stamp it out.
The virus, trichomoniasis, poses no risk to humans but it can lead to
a painful death for wild birds, which can pick up the disease through
water.
The virus attacks the throat, causing the bird problems with
swallowing and later with breathing.
Wildlife vets are investigating the cause of the outbreak, which
appears to be widespread across the UK but particularly in the West
Country and the Midlands. Members of the public have reported finding
bodies of finches and sparrows in their gardens.
Scientists are wondering whether the unusually hot summer has led to
the increase in the number of cases because it is spread by birds
sharing baths and feeders.
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The RSPB has urged bird lovers to regularly wash out bird baths and
cleaners as this may help to halt the spread of the disease.
The disease is common in pigeons and doves but this year it has spread
to finches and sparrows.
It can also be picked up by birds of prey, which may feed on an
infected pigeon.
Bird lovers are advised not to touch or handle any sick or dead bird
they may find but to contact the Garden Bird Health Initiative on
www.ufaw.org.uk The advice is not because the virus can spread to
humans, but a body of a dead bird can cause other health nasties such
as salmonella and E. coli.
8:45am Sunday 24th September 2006
Print Send Add CommentPosted by: Emily on 5:20am Sat 30 Sep 06
Trichomoniasis is not caused by a virus. It is caused by a small
eukaryotic organism called a protozoa. The trichomonad protozoa is
easily transmitted by water, hence the concern for hygiene for
waterers and bird baths and are most commonly problematic in
columbiform species (pigeons and doves), although they can certainly
cause problems in other wild birds as seems to be occuring right now.
There are viruses in the pox family that can cause similar -appearing
sores in the mouth and throat of birds, but if experts believe that
this outbreak is trichomoniasis, then it is not technically viral in
origin. Emily Wheeler DVM/PhD student in avian biology/wildlife
medicine University of Illinois, Urbana IL, USA
Trichomoniasis is not caused by a virus. It is caused by a small
eukaryotic organism called a protozoa. The trichomonad protozoa is
easily transmitted by water, hence the concern for hygiene for
waterers and bird baths and are most commonly problematic in
columbiform species (pigeons and doves), although they can certainly
cause problems in other wild birds as seems to be occuring right now.
There are viruses in the pox family that can cause similar -appearing
sores in the mouth and throat of birds, but if experts believe that
this outbreak is trichomoniasis, then it is not technically viral in
origin.
Emily Wheeler
DVM/PhD student in avian biology/wildlife medicine
University of Illinois, Urbana IL, USA
Garden Bird Health initiative - TrichomoniasisAgent:Trichomonas
gallinae is a single cell parasite that can cause a disease known
astrichomoniasis in British birds.Species affected:Trichomoniasis
typically affects pigeons and doves in the UK. It can also affect
birds of preythat feed on pigeons and doves that are sick with the
condition. The common name for thedisease in pigeons and doves is
“canker” and in birds of prey the disease is known as“frounce”.Since
summer 2005, disease caused by a Trichomonas parasite has also been
seen in finchspecies. As far as we are aware, this is the first time
that this has occurred*. Whilstgreenfinches and chaffinches are the
species that have been most frequently affected, otherfinch species
and house sparrows are susceptible to the disease.An increase in the
number of reported disease outbreaks in finches thought to be caused
bytrichomonas has occurred during and following the recent spell of
hot weather in July 2006.Pathology:Trichomonas typically causes local
sites of infection to develop at the back of the throat
andgullet.Clinical signs:In addition to showing signs of general
illness, for example lethargy and fluffed-up plumage,affected birds
may drool saliva, regurgitate food, have difficulty in swallowing or
show labouredbreathing. Finches are frequently seen to have matted wet
plumage around the face andbeak. In some cases, swelling of the neck
may be visible from a distance. The disease mayprogress over several
days or even weeks, consequently affected birds are often
emaciated.Disease spread:Trichomonas is vulnerable to desiccation and
cannot survive for long periods outside the host.Transmission of
infection between birds is most likely to be by birds feeding one
another withregurgitated food during the breeding season; through food
or drinking water contaminatedwith recently regurgitated saliva, or
possibly, from droppings of an infected bird.Risk to human and
domestic animal health:Trichomonas gallinae is a parasite of birds and
does not pose a health threat to humans ormammals such as dogs and
cats. The parasite has the potential to affect captive poultry andpet
birds.However, garden birds in the UK may carry other diseases that
can affect humans and pets,for example Salmonella, Campylobacter and
E.coli bacteria. The GBHi recommends followingsensible hygiene
precautions as a routine measure when feeding garden birds and
handlingbird feeders and tables. Following these rules will help avoid
the risk of any infectiontransmitting to people and help safeguard the
birds in your garden against disease (SeeBelow).•Clean and disinfect
feeders/ feeding sites regularly. Suitable disinfectants that can
beused include a weak solution of domestic bleach (5% sodium
hypochlorite) and other
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2specially-designed commercial products (See Further information).
Always rinsethoroughly and air-dry feeders before re-use.•Brushes and
cleaning equipment for bird feeders, tables and baths should not be
usedfor other purposes and should not be brought into the house, but
be kept and usedoutside and away from food preparation areas.•Wear
rubber gloves when cleaning feeders and thoroughly wash hands and
forearmsafterwards with soap and water, especially before eating or
drinking. Avoid handlingsick or dead birds directly.Diagnosis:
Diagnosis of trichomoniasis in wild birds relies on post mortem
examination. Thesigns of the disease at post mortem are fairly
characteristic, and a variety of tests can be usedto confirm presence
of the parasite.If you wish to report finding dead garden birds, or
signs of disease in garden birds, pleasecall the Garden Bird Health
initiative on 0207 449 6685.Control:Whilst medicines are available for
treatment of trichomoniasis in captive birds, effective andtargeted
dosing of free-living birds under field conditions is not
possible.Where a problem with trichomoniasis exists, general measures
for control of disease in wildbird populations should be taken:•Ensure
optimal hygiene at garden bird feeding stations, including
disinfection (SeeFurther information)•Consider leaving bird baths with
standing water empty for a short period. Otherwise, beparticularly
vigilant to provide clean drinking water on a daily basis.•Feeding
stations encourage birds to congregate, sometimes in large densities,
therebyincreasing the potential for disease to spread between
individuals when outbreaksoccur. Where large numbers of birds are sick
or dying, consider significantly reducingor stopping feeding for a
short period (around 2 weeks). The reason for this is toencourage
birds to disperse, thereby minimising the chances of new birds
becomingaffected at the feeding station. Gradually reintroduce
feeding, monitoring for furthersigns of ill
health.Prevention:Following best practice for feeding garden birds is
recommended to help control and preventtransmission of disease at
feeding stations all year round.•Routine good table hygiene (See
Further information).•Provision of clean and fresh drinking water on a
daily basis.•Provision of fresh food from accredited sources.•Rotate
positions of feeders in the garden to avoid build up of contamination
in any onearea and pay particular attention to clearing food remains
that fall beneath onto theground.Further information:Best feeding
practices should be followed at all times to help ensure that the
birds visiting yourgarden remain healthy. More information can be
found in the GBHi booklet “Feeding GardenBirds – Best Practice
Guidelines” and in the accompanying GBHi leaflet. Details of how
toobtain these publications are available on the GBHi page of the UFAW
websitewww.ufaw.org.uk. Tel: 01582 831818* Pennycott, T.W., Lawson,
B., Cunningham, A.A., Simpson, V., Chantrey, J. (2005) Necrotic
ingluvitis in wildfinches Veterinary Record 157, 360* Holmes, P.,
Duff, P. (2005) Ingluvitis and oesophagitis in wild finches Veterinary
Record 157, 455
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