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Source: http://www.thelocal.de/national/20120420-42057.html
Scientists warn blackbird virus could return
Published: 20 Apr 12 11:50 CET
Germany?s blackbirds are at risk from a new outbreak of a deadly virus this summer, experts have warned, after finding it in mosquitoes that have survived the winter.
The Usutu virus was blamed for the deaths of many blackbirds last year, although it was only positively tested in 72 bird cadavers.
The Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNI) in Hamburg called on Thursday for members of the public to keep their eyes open for dead blackbirds over the coming months and to report or even collect them.
Experts there are working with the bird charity Nature Conservation Union (NABU), the Community for Action Against Mosquito-Borne Diseases (KABS) and the University of Heidelberg to appeal for information and even dead birds when they are discovered.
Living birds infected with the virus will display ruffled plumage and abnormal behaviour.
?We have shown that the Usutu virus has overwintered in native mosquito species and therefore there is a possibility that blackbirds in Germany could again be infected early this summer,? said Norbert Becker, head researcher at the KABS...
Scientists warn blackbird virus could return
Published: 20 Apr 12 11:50 CET
Germany?s blackbirds are at risk from a new outbreak of a deadly virus this summer, experts have warned, after finding it in mosquitoes that have survived the winter.
The Usutu virus was blamed for the deaths of many blackbirds last year, although it was only positively tested in 72 bird cadavers.
The Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNI) in Hamburg called on Thursday for members of the public to keep their eyes open for dead blackbirds over the coming months and to report or even collect them.
Experts there are working with the bird charity Nature Conservation Union (NABU), the Community for Action Against Mosquito-Borne Diseases (KABS) and the University of Heidelberg to appeal for information and even dead birds when they are discovered.
Living birds infected with the virus will display ruffled plumage and abnormal behaviour.
?We have shown that the Usutu virus has overwintered in native mosquito species and therefore there is a possibility that blackbirds in Germany could again be infected early this summer,? said Norbert Becker, head researcher at the KABS...