Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/usutu-virus-spreads-among-birds-in-germany/a-45208086
Usutu virus spreads among birds in Germany
Birds in Germany are dying of the African Usutu virus. The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes. Blackbirds in particular have been infected in recent years.
With the recent heatwave, more and more birds in Germany are contracting the Usutu virus. The pathogen, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, has repeatedly led to the death of birds in recent years. In the summer months in particular, infections have been more frequent because the mosquitoes that transmit the virus multiply more rapidly.
So far, the Bernhard Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine has been able to detect the virus in 43 bird carcasses from ten German states. The doctors had investigated 132 suspected cases. The number of unreported cases is likely to be significantly higher.
More than last year
Around 1,500 suspected cases have been reported to the German Nature Conservation Union (NABU) so far, many of them in August.
"The cases reported in 2018 so far clearly exceed the figures from previous years, which indicates a leap in the spread of the virus," explained NABU expert Lars Lachmann.
NABU had registered 1,380 suspected cases in Germany for the entire year of 2017. Last year, the Bernhard Nocht-Institute examined 130 dead birds that citizens had sent in and was able to detect the virus in 45 cases...
Usutu virus spreads among birds in Germany
Birds in Germany are dying of the African Usutu virus. The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes. Blackbirds in particular have been infected in recent years.
With the recent heatwave, more and more birds in Germany are contracting the Usutu virus. The pathogen, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, has repeatedly led to the death of birds in recent years. In the summer months in particular, infections have been more frequent because the mosquitoes that transmit the virus multiply more rapidly.
So far, the Bernhard Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine has been able to detect the virus in 43 bird carcasses from ten German states. The doctors had investigated 132 suspected cases. The number of unreported cases is likely to be significantly higher.
More than last year
Around 1,500 suspected cases have been reported to the German Nature Conservation Union (NABU) so far, many of them in August.
"The cases reported in 2018 so far clearly exceed the figures from previous years, which indicates a leap in the spread of the virus," explained NABU expert Lars Lachmann.
NABU had registered 1,380 suspected cases in Germany for the entire year of 2017. Last year, the Bernhard Nocht-Institute examined 130 dead birds that citizens had sent in and was able to detect the virus in 45 cases...