Monitoring projects have shown that over thirty species of native wild birds in this country are dying from avian malaria.

Laszlo Garamszegi is a world expert on avian malaria, and his study has looked at infection data in over 3,000 species of wild birds worldwide since 1944.

Epidemic

In Britain, whole populations are showing massively increased mortality rates from the disease as avian malaria reaches epidemic proportions.

The house sparrow, for example, has recently shown an infection rate of 31%, as against a figure of just 9.4% in 1960. In this one species alone, the overall population, currently calculated as approximately 13.4million, has declined since 1970 by a staggering 67%.

Other wild species known to be suffering similar rises in infection rates include the tawny owl and the song thrush.

A survey by the British Trust for Ornithology found that numbers of nightingales have fallen by 90% over the past 40 years and concerns have been raised that the species may face extinction.

Climate Change

A one-degree Celsius rise in global temperatures has been sufficient to favour the rapid growth of infection-carrying mosquito populations and the consequent huge increase in the incidence of the parasitic disease that attacks oxygen-carrying red blood cells.

To put this in the context of implications for breeders: It seems very recent indeed that threat of H5N1 variant avian flu put breeders on their guard against opportunities for the transmission of pathogens to budgerigars. Shows were cancelled at the peak of the concern, there was much greater emphasis on bio-security, and the government imposed sanctions that restricted the movement of birds.

While there is no evidence to suggest that avian malaria can mutate into a form that can infect humans, the risks posed to budgerigar studs, particularly those where birds have access to outdoor flights, are as great.

Official Concern

Ben Sheldon, professor of Ornithology at Oxford University is concerned because, as he says:

Malaria is a significant cause of mortality, but how it is transmitted is not straightforward.

His concern is echoed by Matt Wood, a bio scientist at the University of Gloucester, who has tracked malaria amongst blue tits.

He believes that there is no way of knowing how virulent a new strain of the disease could become, because, as he says:

Things are changing very fast and we need to understand much more about which mosquito species can transmit the disease.

Protecting Your Stud

Until more is known about this killer and effective, targeted strategies can be identified to limit its contagion rate, it probably makes sense to budgerigar breeders to adopt the same rigorous regimes to protect their birds as were used when H5N1 avian flu threatened.

At that time, the UK Government department DEFRA advised that breeders should cover open flights and outdoor aviaries to avoid contamination from the droppings of wild birds passing overhead.

In fact, this is regarded by many as good practice since birds, like other species, can carry and transmit many infections by this means.

In order to avoid contamination by the transference, into the birdroom, of droppings and other materials, DEFRA further advised that anyone entering should first thoroughly wash their hands outside in a disinfectant solution, (e.g. Virkon S or F10) and step into a trough containing the disinfectant to remove any possible contaminants. Visitors to the birdroom must also comply with this practice.

Tabloid Threat

Since this article was published in the Sunday Times, and similar coverage appeared in other newspapers, it is possible that there could be an “alarmist” reaction among the general population, sparked by tabloids with hysterical headlines of the “Budgie-with-malaria-killed-our-kitten” variety.

As with the avian flu outbreak, neighbours should be made aware of the precautions that have been taken in order to reassure them that your birds do not constitute any kind of threat.

Further Information

For more information on the spread of avian malaria:

• Sunday Times article Note: £1 Subscription charge to access!
• Avian malaria and climate change – The Economist

The overheads are the problem, as they include Avian Influenza clearance (UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has stated on its website that the UK has been free of this disease since 2007/8) and additionally faecal samples are now required for psittacosis checking.

In a recent small shipment of just four birds, this faecal laboratory testing alone was charged at a total of £197.40 incl Value Added Tax (VAT).

Add the usual airline charges (which have increased since 2008), the veterinary inspection & documentation completion, plus the International Air Transport Association (IATA) crate, and in total a very sizeable sum is invoked from the buyer.

This was attributed to a specific avian flu form in poultry which also occurs periodically in wild birds. The particular strain of avian flu involved is called the H5N1 variety and is pathogenic.

At the time this is being written (2006 – see foot of article for 2010 update…) the number of recorded human deaths is less than 100 world wide. This may change if H5N1 changes its structure (a mutation) which can then infect humans. It would then be possible to transmit the infection to other humans. A pandemic affecting the whole world would then ensue as happened in the early 1900′s when thousands died.

To clarify, why the current deaths have occurred before any mutation has been proven is not clear. The conditions that prevail, where the deaths have been recorded to date, seem to be in villages and “farms” where such poultry are kept in appalling ways. Even sick birds are killed and eaten and poultry blood swallowed. Uncooked poultry may also be a factor.

“Bird flu”, the common term, has now spread among poultry, probably carried by migrating wild birds. It is widespread in Africa (Egypt, Nigeria) and also India. In Eastern Europe there have been small outbreaks in wild birds.

Thousands of all forms of poultry are being culled and burned where any outbreak has been confirmed by laboratory diagnosis which for the most part seems to be carried out at Weybridge in Surrey, England. The fact that the African front has opened up presents a formidable problem. Poultry exist in free range conditions in thousands of small villages where they mingle with humans. Eradication of the disease will be tremendously difficult in such conditions if there is a mutation.

Experts are unsure as to how much, and what kind of genetic changes would be required for the virus to become a global health problem. Nor do they know how long this process will take – if it does occur at all. Some are adamant that it will “cross over”. Others are not convinced. It is estimated that a global pandemic would cost the world economies £455 billion ($650 billion).

Symptoms in Humans

An infected person would start by getting a headache followed by chills, a cough, aching body, a stuffy nose and a sore throat – similar to normal winter flu. However, in avian flu the extra symptoms that will emerge will be eye infections, pneumonia and severe breathing difficulties.

Facts

A virus cannot be killed, as with a bacterium. Yes, there are palliative drugs for easing cold sores, but only a specific preventative vaccination can really stop any viral transmission to any extent. However, until a clear case of exactly the mutated form of avian flu has taken place, a vaccine cannot be developed. Furthermore, the information is that it takes a minimum of six months to create such a vaccine and millions would require treatment. A massive problem causing thousands to die.

To Your Birds

Let us assume that your aviary and its valuable contents are threatened by an outbreak some 100 miles away. What should you do?

The advice from the UK Ministry involved (DEFRA) is to close the aviary and contain the birds completely so that any infected wild birds that pass over cannot infect them. It has always been sensible advice for years for outside flights to be covered to prevent infection from any wild bird diseased droppings.

The practice of biodiversity is advised by which you use a disinfectant trough into which you add Virkon S or F10 to water before stepping slowly through it before entering the birdroom. Similarly you must realise that most infections are carried on the hands. Fanciers visiting you should be asked to wash their hands outside the birdroom, in the solution used, as well as going through the foot trough before allowing them inside your aviary. It is vitally important this procedure is not neglected.

If a media announcement of a case is made, it is suggested that you approach your surrounding neighbours quickly, stating the precautions that you have taken. This should allay any concerns they may have. Do this before they approach you with their views based on sometimes erroneous information they may have heard.

It goes without saying, to a degree, that should a world wide outbreak occur, the budgerigar exhibition would be devastated. Time can only tell the outcome.

Situation in United Kingdom – January 2010

The current situation on Avian Influenza (AI) is that the UK National Ministry, DEFRA, announced in November 2008, that:

“The UK became officially free from AI disease according to the rules laid down by The World Organisation for Animal Health.”

Trade with the European Union resumed on 8th July, 2008.

It must be noted that there are a variety of forms of AI, but it is only the H5N1 strain that is pathogenic to humans.

Sir Liam Donaldson, Britain’s Chief Medical Officer, who is retiring, claimed in 2005 that:

“This strain will probably kill 50,000 people and a final death toll of 750,000 deaths is not impossible.”

The final death toll amounted in the UK to – nil!

It is stressed however that due care still be taken at bird shows with the practices used under the heading of “bio-security” still being continued.

GSB: Imports from EU Member States are covered by a General Licence (obtainable from your local branch of DEFRA). This is published which allows you to make an import without having to apply for a specific licence to accompany each individual import. If you want to import budgerigars, the main conditions are:

• The premises of origin must be officially registered by the authorities in the Country of Origin
• The birds have to carry a closed ring
• You, the importer, MUST tell your local Animal Health Office 24 hours before you intend to bring in the birds
• The birds MUST be accompanied by a health certificate signed by an official veterinarian in the Country of Origin within 48 hours of departure, as follows:
  • The birds do not come from an aviary and have not come from an aviary on which psittacosis has been recorded in the past 2 months
  • They have not come from an aviary that has had avian flu diagnosed in the past 30 days
  • They do not come from an area where there has been a recorded outbreak of Newcastle’s Disease
  • N.B. The above three rules also apply to imports from Switzerland (even though it is NOT an EU Member State)

It is inadvisable to return to the UK without having conformed with the easy rules quoted above. To do so risks the birds being impounded / destroyed at the exit port or port of arrival by the authorities and future imports by you will be affected.

How do I import budgerigars into the UK from outside Europe?

GSB: Contact your local Animal Health Office. They will supply you with all the data applicable to the country from which you wish to import – outside the EU (N.B. Switzerland is outside the EU – BUT see the note above re Switzerland).

Particular note should be made about the form of crate design for the transport of budgerigars. If not followed accurately, problems will be encountered at the airports of entry. You will be supplied by Animal Health with such details as are required by the International Air Traffic Association (IATA). If you have constructional problems, then I can recommend Airpets. They will be happy to advise and can make the exact crates you require.

Birds imported from outside the EU must be quarantined for 30 days in a separate Animal Health approved “aviary” at least 400 metres from your own aviary. Veterinary inspections are involved on arrival and at the end, with dropping samples being taken for testing, in between.

On arrival at the UK airport, there are customs charges and sometimes agency fees involved for collection from the aircraft and delivery to the relevant Animal Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS). The London (Heathrow) AQIS is close to Terminal 4.

How do I export budgerigars from the UK?

GSB: Contact local Animal Health Office and request the documentation applicable to all rules / regulations for the safe export of live birds via the airlines.

Alternatively, you can use an agency – I can recommend Airpets – which saves a great deal of time and worry. An agency will take care of the following:

• IATA construction / you advise the total number of birds travelling
• All applications to DEFRA (Animal Health) for you to export
• Veterinary inspection & approval of the birds before departure

The above agency services can be quoted and passed on to your buyer. It is your responsibility to contact your intending purchaser to obtain a licence from their ministry approving their import. This has to be sent to you and travels with the consignment along with all other data. Sometimes a valuation of the birds is required for customs purposes in the receiving country. Discuss this with your buyer.

It is customary for your buyer to send you the finance in advance before you order crates etc. Be warned that you should check with your bank that your money has been cleared – even via electronic payment which takes three days, or, in the case of cheques allow five days.

You can then arrange personal delivery to the agency, together with all labels (addressed). The agency should also be able to collect from you, if required, with charges levied as appropriate.

Useful links

Animal Health (DEFRA)

• To find you local Animal Health office, go to their website (www.defra.gov.uk/animalhealth) or call their import / export helpline on 0845 603 0807.

Airpets

• Airpets website – www.airpets.com – or call them on 0800 018 5571.

Aviary Maintenance – External

Let me take this year as an example. It is November. In the last 6 weeks I have been working to get the aviary “winterised”. A very cold one by UK standards is forecast. So, having a cedarwood exterior, it needs treating every three years without fail. That has resulted in it still being as good today as it was when I purchased it in 1971. It would be massively expensive to replace as it covers 1200 square feet (110 sq metres).

The window frames need constant attention (I hate painting!) and the roof needs to be checked for leaks. Virginia Water is heavily wooded so leaves are a constant problem, hence the gutters must be checked too. Elbow grease is essential. What all this is about is not having to attend to problems that could arise in very bad weather. Dealing with a leaky roof in wet conditions is not funny and the disturbance to the breeding pairs also has to be anticipated.

Aviary Maintenance – Internal

Moving inside, I am fortunate to have bought my cage units from Reinhard Molkentin back in 1988. They are made of a composition of a plastic nature (very heavy) with a aluminium framework. They never need painting (I like that) and just need washing to bring them back to new. They are in many aviaries in Germany, Jo Mannes’s aviary being but one example. Expensive, but in long term well worth it.

All electrics are checked, especially the heating systems and thermostats. I used to have tubular heating but this was far too expensive to run and inefficient as the air was not circulated well. These days I use (Dimplex) fan heaters which work very well provided you are attentive to de-dusting them out regularly.

Nest Boxes

Coming to nest boxes, of which there are currently 56 in use (and being double boxes with one inside the other it means 112 really have to be cleaned), I use “VIRKON® S” a great deal. All are finally dipped into this solution and allowed to dry off. This appears to contribute to a maximum of 5 or 6 minor French Moult birds only, from approximately 300 bred per annum. They are affected very little and if stripped from flights and tails at 4 weeks, then recover fully.

Incubator

Some time ago, I bought an incubator. I use it to keep oversize plastic eggs warm at the same temperature as real eggs. When the first egg is laid, in goes a plastic one. Use of false eggs has the following advantages:

• They prevent those strong day old chicks being crushed before you can get to them if they have not been fed. Note: Weak chicks because of poor management techniques will not survive anyway.
• They can stop a pair smashing their own eggs – they get fed up trying to break a plastic egg.
• They retain heat while in contact with eggs that have been left for too long thus saving the developing embryos.

Increasing Fertility

I am often asked what I do to prepare for increasing the fertility in my stud. Here are several thoughts for you.

• Make sure you have a round-the-year source of vitamins A & D – in moderation. Overdo it and you will be in trouble, as both are stored in the liver and not excreted.
• I use a powder product called Hormova. It again is present in the flights and cages all the time.
• A certain “X” factor which you can buy in specialist horse tack and feeding shops – but that is up to you to think out and track down. Sorry, but we all have our little secrets!
• Never give massive doses of antibiotics across the board with the exception of treating accurately against “yellow belly” in tiny chicks before breeding and the same again when breeding stops. This practice also improves fertility in my experience. I only treat a health condition which is preventative. If you start playing around with growth promotion then you risk ruining the whole stud – and it is banned anyway and rightly so.

Seed Mixtures

I now turn to the seed mixtures which we all use. I am after every chick I can get by every means possible. Seed that may have been harvested too early (and that applies to millets sometimes), is at risk of having micro fungi attached because of the dampness. Note: You can always test a bag of seed for ripeness by making a fist and plunging it down into the bag. If you meet resistance you know it is not fully ripened. Add any mites to the fungi, especially in millet sprays, and you have a recipe for loss of chicks. To kill off everything mentioned, use a super product from VETREPHARM (in Hampshire). This is put in the bottom of each bin before loading and fumes over 48 hours. The seed is unaffected and 100% safe to use.

Avian Flu

To conclude, a word about Avian Flu H5N1. Either keep the stock under cover or make certain that any indigenous wild visitors cannot excrete into the outside flights. As of November 2009, DEFRA has designated that the UK is free from any reports of Avian Flu. However fanciers should check the DEFRA website for any changes.