Insects, specifically mosquitoes, transmit viruses. - Institute Experiences Resurgence of Measles Cases Due to Usutu Virus Resurfacing
In Germany, a significant number of blackbirds are currently perishing due to the Usutu virus, disseminated by mosquitoes. Around 25% of the avian specimens examined and tested this year have been found to harbor the virus, as reported by the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine situated in Hamburg. Over 120 deceased animals have been submitted to the Hamburg institute since the beginning of the year, including blackbirds, thrushes, and falcons. In contrast, only 100 incidents were reported throughout 2023.
An Increase in Reports of Ailing or Deceased Birds in Lower Saxony
The Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) has received almost double the number of reports concerning sick or deceased birds since the start of the year compared to the same period in 2023. So far, NABU has received 1,536 reports regarding 1,806 deceased and 1,060 ailing blackbirds and other feathered creatures via their online platform.
Reports mainly originate from across the nation, with a particular focus on Lower Saxony. At least 800 deceased and over 400 ailing blackbirds have been reported there, making for over six times the number of reports in the same period in 2023.
Those numbers may continue to escalate
NABU's bird conservation expert, Marco Sommerfeld, speculates that these numbers could merely be the tip of the iceberg and may significantly increase further. Blackbird populations, he warns, could suffer another grave setback if the trend continues, as blackbird numbers in Hamburg plummeted by approximately 40% in 2018 and have yet to recuperate. Such heavy losses are concerning for such a widespread species.
Documenting the virus's expansion
The Bernhard Nocht Institute and NABU rely on the public's assistance and hopes that people will keep reporting and submitting deceased and sick animals. This way, the spread of the virus can be tracked, documented, and scientifically assessed.
The Usutu virus is transmitted by native mosquitoes. Infected birds manifest symptoms of lethargy and decline before succumbing to the virus within a few days. Originally identified in Germany in 2011, the pathogen marks the country's first instance of a substantial bird die-off. The tropical virus has been established in Europe for well over a decade and continues to spread, as asserted by NABU.
The Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) urges people in areas affected by the Usutu virus to report sick or deceased birds to their online platform, as data from these reports can help NABU and the Bernhard Nocht Institute monitor and document the virus's expansion. Despite receiving nearly double the number of reports this year compared to 2023, NABU's bird conservation expert, Marco Sommerfeld, fears that the reported cases of sick or deceased birds could be just the tip of the iceberg for NABU, and the blackbird population could face another significant setback if the trend continues, as blackbird numbers in Hamburg decreased by around 40% in 2018 and have yet to recover.
