[tn-bird] west nile virus and birds
- From: jreese5@xxxxxxx
- To: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 7 Sep 2002 23:51:35 -0500
I was forwarded this, and thought it might be of interest - quite
alarming...
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>Date: Thu, 5 Sep 2002 09:31:48 -0400
>Subject: [econet] West Nile Virus
>To: "EcoNet Discussion Group" <econet@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>From: "Dan Dinelli, CGCS" <ddinelli@xxxxxxx>
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>West Nile Virus is in the news daily. I'm writing from Chicago area and
>one is hard pressed to find a live Crow or Blue-Jay. We have found many
>dead birds on the course including Crows, Jays, Purple Martins, Cowbirds,
>Blackbirds. Illinois is now the hardest hit state with West Nile. My
>Red-Tail Hawk stopped eating and showed signs of weakness lastweek. Sunday
>I brought her to Niles Animal Hospital. Merly, our female Red-Tail has
>produced young over the years which are used in eduactional programs at
>the Minnesota Zoo, Disney Wild Animal Park, DollyWood and SixFlaggs,
>tested positive for both West Nile and St. Louis encephalitis. She
>remained in intensive care for three days. She was weak and wouldnt eat.
>Her legs would stiffen and balance was off. Tube feeding and keeping her
>hydrated via inter muscular was administered several times a day.
>Antibiotics and anti-fungal drugs were given to prevent secondary
>infections. A steroid also given to lesson swelling in the brain. She is
>home now and doing OK. Her right eye drifts shut and balance is alittle
>off. So, the good news is if treated early some birds can survive with
>given care. The bad news is all the remaining un-knowns. Raptors including
>Owls, RedTails, Eagles, Goshawks, Coopers Hawks and some reported falcons
>are falling ill in the newly infected areas of West Nile. Where it started
>in this country, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania more then two years
>ago, raptors were less affected. This has people wondering if the virus is
>mutating! or is the combination of St. Louis with West Nile common and
>affecting the birds health more so?Reports from local Zoo's, Falconers,
>rehabbers are most birds are showing some signs of neurological
>disfunction or death of many species of birds including Flamingos,
>Penguins, Condors and all Raptors. Level of symptoms differ with each
>species and individuals within each species. Some birds will show a slight
>eye tremor to premature feather drop to loss of appetite to compltete loss
>of body function. For birds in the wild, all these symptoms will lead to
>death unless early assistance is given. My bird will be used as a case
>study trying to learn more about the disease. We will track her blood to
>see if she continues to test positive, if antibodies will prevent further
>symptoms, if she becomes immune to the disease, if her reproduction is
>affected, if any permanent neurological aymtoms persist. Our Male RedTail,
>who shows no signs of the disease will be tested this week. If the test
>shows negative, a vaccine will be given that is used on horses with some
>succses to see if it is effective in birds.
>When something this significant happens, many rumors start based on
>circumstantial evidence. One Rehabber kept birdsinside free of mosquitoes.
>One effected bird was with other seemingly healthy birds. All birds became
>ill with West Nile. There are people who think the spread of the disease
>can occure with other means besides mosquitoes.
>We have alot to learn about this disease. One thing for sure, it adds
>another chapter to "Silent Spring"
>Dan Dinelli
>North Shore Country Club
>
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Carol Reese
Ornamental Horticulture Specialist -Western District
University of Tennessee Extension Service
605 Airways Blvd.
Jackson TN 38301
731 425 4721 email jreese5@xxxxxxx
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