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

Avian Polyomavirus (APV) or Budgerigar Fledging Disease

Avian Polyomavirus (APV) infection, otherwise known as Budgerigar Fledging Disease, is the primary cause of this symptom although other factors are often involved.

Budgerigar breeders recognise symptoms of APV in their birds as French Moult.

The term French Moult is a symptomatic description of a disease that may include APV, Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease virus (PBFDS) and other infections.

Preventing APV

Prevention is the only cure as there is no treatment for APV.

An understanding of the disease and other predisposing circumstances will help prevent the disease.

There are three important facets to this disease.

• Polyomavirus (APV) “Carrier” Bird
• Nutritional Stress during the Moult
• Poor Quill Strength

Polyomavirus (APV) “Carrier” Bird

APV is the most common disease of budgerigar studs. In my book “The Budgerigar”, I describe it as the most significant disease of budgerigars, as it often affects immunity thereby having a profound effect on the long-term health and reproductive ability of an infected budgerigar stud.

Infection with APV occurs primarily in young budgerigars between 0-20 days of age. Budgerigars that survive the acute infection will often drop their long feathers in the weaning cage, fail to develop their primary wing and tail feathers, or these may be deformed as the virus damages the feather follicle especially of these long feathers.

APV infection is life long although infection and disease are not synonymous. In fact the vast majority of APV infections are asymptomatic. In most instances the lost flight and tail feathers of weaning budgerigars are regrown soon after recovery from the acute infection. These birds however remain “carriers” of APV and are the most likely birds to lose their tails during the first adult moult.

Small outbreaks in adult birds have been reported but are rare. Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease virus (PBFDS) infection (that often occurs together with APV in budgerigars) is thought to be immuno-suppressive and may predispose adult birds to APV disease.

From my perspective, I consider APV to be a disease confined to young birds but which remains as a life long infection. Most infected birds remain symptomless “carriers” throughout their lives. Some individual “carrier” birds – mostly those possessing exhibition quality feather features – become re-infected with APV following a stressful event.

In my view the loss of tail feathers in adult birds is confined to birds already infected with APV i.e, “carrier” birds. Often these birds have not exhibited any prior symptoms associated with APV. However, in most of these birds there are symptoms of APV prior to the failure of the tail feathers to regrow although they are not obvious to most budgerigar breeders.

A close examination of affected birds often reveals a slow or delayed moult, low vitality, poor feather condition, missing flight feathers, frayed tail feathers, staining of the feathers above the nostrils, preen gland cysts and tumors, feather cysts and other signs of poor general health. Some birds may appear in very good condition but these birds often have lost feathers during the weaning period and regrown them soon after. They are in fact APV “carrier” birds.

Nutritional Stress during the Moult

A failure to regrow tail feathers is most likely to occur in APV “carrier” birds during their first adult moult. These birds are often physically large birds that also possess championship quality feather features.

The regrowth of the paired central tail feathers occurs towards the end of the moult at the same time as the long end flights. Any nutritional deficiency (i.e. stress) is more likely to appear at this time as these feathers are the largest in the body and because their regrowth also occurs towards the end of the moult. Dormant APV infections are likely to be activated in “carrier” birds at this time.

Poor Quill Strength

The quill strength of many championship quality budgerigars is poor. Poor quill strength may be a consequence of APV infection or poor genetic selection. Feather problems (e.g. feather cysts, bacterial follicle infections, feather abnormalities) and a failure to regrow tail feathers are more likely in birds with poor quill strength.

Feather cysts (i.e. retained curled up feathers are trapped beneath the skin) and other feather abnormalities may occur as a result of poor quill strength in the absence of APV infection.

“The Budgerigar” Book

Avian Polyomavirus (APV) infection and methods used to prevent it are covered in even greater detail in my book – “The Budgerigar”.

Note from Gerald S Binks: If you are serious about your hobby, I would urge you to obtain Dr Marshall’s book “The Budgerigar” which took 12 years to compile. Details of how to obtain a copy can be found below.

• Tails You Lose! – Part 1 of 2
• Dr Rob Marshall’s book – “The Budgerigar”

He is arguably the finest and most experienced veterinary surgeon in the world currently highly active in the field of avian diseases.

An Australian, he has his own small veterinary practice in Carlingford, Australia. His knowledge, supported by his extensive Curriculum Vitae, plus papers and books on avian health, is unequalled.

His latest publication “The Budgerigar” was published in 2009 and took 12 years to produce. There has never been a more extensive volume to help our birds survive when ill. It is a perfect volume to have to hand. (For further details see “The Budgerigar”)

As part of his relationship with this website, Dr Marshall has provided an emergency first aid treatment process, so that any fancier can perform a step-by-step diagnosis of any sick bird, to see exactly the right course to follow and drug(s) to give.

Any prescription drugs that are required have to be obtained from your local veterinarian but can be supported by information that will be on this site for any fancier to download.

Full details will appear on this website (see “Health“).

Dr Rob’s Products

Dr Marshall has also arranged for supplies of the relevant approved drugs to be available.

His book and drugs may be obtained as follows:

• For UK & Europe customers:
   
  • Order from Riversway Aviculture: www.riverswayonline.co.uk

 

• For Australia & Asia customers:
   
  • Order from Bird Health: www.birdhealth.com.au

 

• For The Rest of the World:
   
  • Order from Lady Gouldian: www.ladygouldianfinch.com OR www.ladygouldian.com

All livestock producers worldwide, including avian fanciers, are therefore advised to “test” their grain for Mycotoxins (poisonous microfungi substances) for possible seed contamination.

The safest way to protect your budgerigars against this threat, is to add a propionic acid powder (such as Monoprop) when loading your seed bins.

After application, the bins should be left closed for 48 hours during which time any fungi present will be destroyed.

Microfungi occur when seed is, or has been, damp. Unfortunately, they generally cannot be seen by the naked eye.

Monoprop can be obtained from:

“Pharmaq”
Unit 15,
Sandleheath Industrial Estate,
Fordingbridge,
Hampshire,
SP6 1PA
England

Tel: +44 (0) 1425 656081
www.pharmaq.co.uk

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.

Zoology was however to prove a very useful source of knowledge in understanding the basics of animal and human anatomy. I could see that having started breeding budgerigars at the age of 12, that this subject could prove useful but I did not realise, and still do not, how difficult the external diagnosis of disease in our birds was going to be.

Avian Veterinary Surgeons

As I grew older, I naturally lost birds from time to time and I quickly found out that the veterinary profession was sadly lacking in advice and help when I needed it. Subsequently, I was advised that the veterinary colleges only spend about a week on all birds in a five to six year course. Perhaps I am being cynical, but I think many students must have taken leave during that week because so many vets that I have tried over the years, struggle to help you. One actually said, “You obviously know more than I do so what drugs do you want?” Hardly comforting, so I quickly dropped him.

Today, I know that there are specialist avian vets upon whom to get some help but usually they are at a distance and getting a bird to them is near impossible to be of use. Unfortunately such credible vets are rare and you need a vet who has the vital laboratory equipment backing him / her. I worked in laboratories for BP for many years so I fully understand what is required and there is a great deal of expense involved in acquiring essential back up equipment. This will reflect in charges that are levied in addition to the avian expert’s knowledge. When I left BP to start BW Magazine in 1982, my charge out rate for work carried out for other companies was, even then, £170 per hour. What it is today I can only guess at, but the moral is that you only get what you pay for.

All of us need to understand that following the death of a bird(s), a carcase starts to degrade and deteriorate rapidly. I will give you an example later. So sending a bird via the postal services however speedy is useless and I quote David Jones (former Chief Veterinary Officer at London Zoo and later Director of London and Whipsnade Zoos):

“It is far better to get two ailing birds that can be euthanized and the body tissues examined immediately if you want accuracy and correct diagnosis to be the order of the day”.

Many UK and European fanciers will remember the late Mick Mapston who was not only one of our finest judges, but who also possessed a great sense of humour. Years ago the UK Budgerigar Society used a veterinary service for its members (no longer) and pretty well every diagnostic report that the member would receive about his dead bird contained the assertion that “Cranial Haemorrhage” was a cause.

Mick said:

“I know the answer to that. When you take the bird to the post office addressed to your vet, it’s the woman behind the counter who bangs the package with the post office stamp!”

Mick’s humour is sadly missed.

Primary Cause Of Death

I referred earlier to the immediate changes that start to occur in a carcase after death. The proof of this, to give one example, was that in 1970 I was approached by a lady fancier of note to help her solve a major problem with her stock. Unfortunately these sick birds exhibited the same symptoms as 15 other diseases we know about. Fortunately they also were noticed to be creating “dust” in their seed bowls and were constantly eating by grinding up the grain into tiny particles to get a few grains down into their crops. Fungal treatment was not effective, so what was the primary cause?

Various vets had been tried before I was approached, but all failed without an accurate diagnosis. I decided to write a full report to my vet which ran into six pages. That was sent up to London Zoo Veterinary Dept. and then I was asked to obtain several live birds that were suffering and take them up to David Jones himself. He passed these birds to a young and very able qualified vet called Gordon Henderson. Henderson euthanized the birds and quickly established that the problem was caused by two different protozoa called giardia and trichomonas.

Where the former vets had gone wrong was not realising that these protozoa either disappeared or died within 10 minutes of the death of the birds. Also the gut contained fungi which lined the oesophagus and was destroying the linings of the gizzards which were confirmed as ulcerated.

In due course Henderson found that the real primary cause was ingested trichomonads probably from wild birds and especially pigeons via open flights. Note: Avian Flu could be contracted easily without covered flights. These “bugs” then swim in the gut and change the PH (acid/alkali levels) with the result that the fungi were getting a firm hold and reducing the diameter of the oesophagus and other internal damage. Now you know why posted carcases can be a wasted exercise.

Place New Birds in Quarantine

Some time ago, a very nice and dedicated fancier (Mr A), who had developed a high quality stud of light greens and grey greens, started to lose all his hens and eventually all died and he was devastated. The damage was done before I heard about it.

His cocks still looked fit so these were passed to a friend (Mr B). Later Mr B called me saying he was very worried as his birds were now suffering and informed me that Mr A had bought in a bird(s) from a fancier in Yorkshire but had not quarantined them after purchase as they “looked” perfectly fit. The trouble started soon after.

I advised Mr B to now do the sensible thing and take two birds to a known avian specialist vet. However he was not keen to do so saying, “But he will charge £300 to check everything.” I felt that was folly and I have heard nothing since.

The fact is that we all have to understand that any new purchase from an aviary that exhibits poor management with uncovered outside flights, can be supplying birds that are, even unknowingly, “carriers” of disease.

It has to be in all our interests to confine new introductions well away from the main bird room under quarantine conditions for 30 days and run them through a course of antibiotic, an antiprotozoal drug and a de-wormer, in that period. Immediately following, put them through a course of a multi-vitamin solution (such as abidec) to restore their metabolism back to normal.

None of this is difficult to do but how many of us actually do it? Not many is the answer, but the penalties are a disaster if you do not.

Real Solutions

I have to confess that even with the quality aviary and facilities that I have here, I still find there is great difficulty in wondering why I lose the odd hen when she is breeding for no apparent reason and why with clean surroundings you get the odd sick bird appearing – often just ill but without any external symptoms so that you don’t know exactly which drug could be the answer.

So often in such circumstances the bird is lost even with great attention to its welfare with being kept warm with a heat source and treatment. Taking such a bird away from the heat source to a vet can accelerate matters as well, as so often a vet will not offer a drug without seeing the bird. That is understandable, but with vets being inexperienced with birds you are mostly on your own with the odd infected bird.

Only when there is a major infection across the stud are you forced, if you are sensible, to pay out for a real avian expert. Frustrating? You bet it is, because none of us likes to lose birds unnecessarily and of course “It’s always a good one that is the cause for worry”.

Have I any real solutions? Frankly, no. As one famous fancier said to me some years ago, “After 65 years in this hobby I feel I know nothing about budgerigars.” I couldn’t agree more!