HUNDREDS of finches, including greenfinches and chaffinches, are being wiped out by a deadly disease spreading throughout Britain. Wildlife vets are investigating the outbreaks across England, Scotland and Wales, after scores of reports from birdwatchers and householders about mysterious bird deaths in their gardens.
Experts believe that the scale of the deaths could be much higher than the cases reported, which appear to be concentrated mainly in the South West and Midlands.
The disease, known as trichomoniasis, poses no threat to human health and is not connected to avian flu. But infected birds suffer a painful death lasting many days or even weeks.
The parasite is transmitted through water, infects the throat and crop of the birds, which then dribble saliva. They also regurgitate food and have difficulty swallowing and breathing. The birds show signs of general illness such as fluffed-up plumage and become so lethargic that they find it hard to fly.
It is thought that the disease is spreading by birds sharing feeders and baths that have become infected by their saliva.
One vet alone has so far received more than 60 calls in the past few weeks and feared that it was likely to be the tip of the iceberg.
An appeal is now being made for people to clean up their garden bird tables and feeders to prevent spread of the disease and also to help to monitor the scale of the outbreak.
The parasite is common in pigeons and collared doves and can also affect birds of prey, which feed on sick pigeons and doves.
But vets from the Garden Bird Health Initiative (GBHI) now fear that without urgent research into the reasons for the outbreak other bird species may be at risk.
All birds are susceptible to the parasite and some incidence of disease has been found in other species of the the finch family, including goldfinches, linnets and siskins.
Vets from the GBHI have issued an alert in the latest edition of The Veterinary Record because they want to be in a position to collate the number of deaths and conduct post-mortem examinations.
One possible theory is that the recent hot summers, and in particular the scorching weather in July, may have been a factor. The species affected are also sociable birds that like to live in large groups.
Becki Lawson, a wildlife vet at the Institute of Zoology, which is part of London Zoo, which co-ordinates the GBHI, said: “We are trying to establish the scale of the mortality in these favourite garden birds. There have been many calls in the past few weeks, which shows there is an outbreak on a national scale.
“We first spotted infection in greenfinches last year but on a low scale. “This was confirmed by the usual disease suveillance tests conducted by the Veterinary Laboratory Agency. But this year there is a significant increase in the number of incidents.”
She issued a warning, however, that people should not handle or touch dead or suspect birds directly. Wild birds carry salmonella and E.coli bacteria, which can affect human health.
GARDEN HYGIENE CAN STOP THE SPREAD
· Do not touch or handle any sick or dead birds
· Contact the Garden Bird Health Initiative on www.ufaw.org.uk
· Some carcasses will be needed for post-mortem examinations
· In the event of a death, stop all watering and feeding for two weeks · Clean bird baths and feeders regularly using a brush dipped in a weak solution of detergent. Dry thoroughly because lack of moisture is the best way to kill the parasite
· Always wear rubber gloves
· Move feeders around a garden to prevent infection hotspots.