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

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.