According to Sciencemag A mysterious disease has killed countless small birds in the eastern United States.
The first cases were discovered in May, in the area around the country’s capital, Washington DC. The deaths are now recorded all the way to Kentucky and Indiana in the west, and Pennsylvania in the north.
Affects selected species
In particular, the four bird species starling, bluegill, glanstrupial and migratory cheese have been affected, but the disease has been found in more than a dozen species, reports Sciencemag.
THOUSANDS: Thousands of Americans have reported the discovery of sick or dead birds Photo: Jon Cherry / Getty Images / AFP
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Common to all cases is that there is nothing that can be done to save them. The birds die or are killed.
Jennifer Toussaint, head of animal control at Arlington, describes the symptoms of the birds as follows:
– What we have feared has happened
– They were lethargic, could not keep their balance, and a membrane had grown over their eyes, she says.
Itches in the head
Hundreds of birds have so far been examined without success.
– We are still scratching our heads over this, says the epidemiologist for wildlife, David Stallknecht to Sciencemag.
However, they have managed to rule out several causes of the massive death toll. Among other things, salmonella, several different viruses and parasites.
