Deadly bird disease trichomonosis 'spreads to Europe'

[L.P.]

Deadly bird disease trichomonosis 'spreads to Europe'
A disease that is killing greenfinches and chaffinches in the UK has now spread to Europe, scientists report. A paper in the journal Ecohealth confirms that the disease has been found in Finland, Norway and Sweden and is at risk of moving further afield. The disease, called trichomonosis, is caused by a parasite and was first seen in finches in the UK in 2005. Since then, the country's greenfinches have declined by 35% and chaffinch populations have fallen by 7%. Becki Lawson, a wildlife veterinarian at the Zoological Society for London (ZSL) and lead author of the paper, said: "Trichomonosis has emerged as a very serious threat to these birds, so it is very important that vets and ornithologists collaborate to determine whether we might see further spread and to monitor the impact of the parasite on wild bird populations across Europe." The parasite that causes the disease, Trichomonas gallinae, has long been known in pigeons and doves, and scientists believe it somehow spread from these birds into finch populations. The study charts how the disease then moved from central and western counties in England and Wales towards eastern England in 2007, and then into Finland, Norway and Sweden (Fennoscandia) in 2008, as well as spreading further around the UK. Molecular analysis has revealed that the same strain of the parasite was present in UK and European finches, and researchers now believe that migrating chaffinches were responsible for the spread. Dr Lawson explained: "It looks like chaffinches left the east of England in 2008, and that spring they went to the breeding ground in Fennoscandia and took the parasite with them, which is where the outbreak occurred." While greenfinches and chaffinches have been most badly hit, the disease has also been diagnosed in a number of other bird species, including the house sparrow and yellowhammer, both of which are already endangered.

Taking action

The research team says it is now key to try to understand trichomonosis and to monitor its spread.Mike Toms, head of garden ecology from the British Trust for Ornithology and an author of the paper, explains: "We are concerned whenever you see something like this: a sudden drop in a population. "But the fact we have been able to pick this one up and understand why it has happened is a positive thing." They are asking for sightings of any birds displaying symptoms of the disease to be reported to the RSPB online or to the British Trust for Ornithology's online survey. Mr Toms said: "We are looking out for birds that are fluffed up, lethargic and sitting around the bird feeders and not really going anywhere, and maybe looking a bit wet around the bill. "Those are the typical signs of disease and if birds are coming into people's gardens, and people are seeing a number of birds with those symptoms, you should report them." Outbreaks tend to be most severe and most frequent from August to October, he added. While it is difficult to treat wild birds suffering from the disease, researchers say there are things that people can do to help limit the spread such as regularly cleaning all feeders, bird baths and feeding surfaces.

• Si In seguito alla segnalazione in Mailing List di Giovanni Ferrero (San Maurizio canavese TO, EBN 332) circa il ritrovamento di alcuni Verdoni morti o moribondi nei pressi delle sue mangiatoie si è aperto un interessante ed utile catena di interventi circa le possibili patologie che possono coinvolgere i "nostri ospiti"; si riportano di seguito alcuni post salienti che possono essere di utilità nel gestire e/o segnalare analoghe situazioni.
• Intatti Ettore Rigamonti, NovaraBW dice:
Morie di verdoni alle mangiatoie le abbiamo riscontrate anche nel novarese quest’inverno. Sembra che in passato in Inghilterra si siano verificate anche a carico dei Fringuelli, oltreché dei Verdoni, e sembra che il fenomeno sia dovuto a Trichomonas (protozoi).
• Questo è quello che dice Roberto Macario, Veterinario, Rivoli (TO)
Sentita anche la collega ed amica specialista in patologie della fauna selvatica Gabriella Vaschetti di Racconigi mi sento in dovere come medico veterinario che si occupa anche di uccelli selvatici di intervenire e, per quanto possibile, chiarire.
Non sappiamo nulla della causa delle morti dei verdoni di Giovanni Ferrero, ma quanto inoltrato dal Rigamonti è più che probabile: la tricomoniasi si sta espandendo in Europa.
Come dice Rodolfo Marliani le mangiatoie se non gestite bene sono ricettacoli di patologie perchè facilitano enormi concentrazioni di animali.
Questo non toglie nulla alla validità delle diete offerte da Giovanni (insetti, credo tenebrionidi, cibi ad alto contenuto energetico, tutto di solito made in U.k. e controllato dalla RSPB o dal BTO), anzi!