Mass Bird Die-Off & Dead Birds Infected With West Nile Virus.

Two thousand dead birds found along 6 km stretch of Chilean beach

Posted on May 12, 2012 

May 12, 2012 – CHILE – About 2,000 birds were found dead on beaches in central Chile, a natural history museum director said Friday, accusing fishermen of snagging them in their nets and letting them drown. CNN reports the number of dead birds could be as high as 2300. “It’s a horrible scene. They are spread across some six kilometers (four miles) of beach” around the coastal city of Santo Domingo, San Antonio natural history and archeology museum director Jose Luis Brito told UCV radio. Most of the birds are gray petrels, but there are also pelicans, gannets and Guanay cormorants. Brito accused fishermen of “doing nothing when birds get caught up in their nets, and leaving them to drown before throwing the bodies back into the sea.” The museum said it would file a complaint to police over the dead birds. About 100 bird carcasses were found on central beaches on Sunday. Thousands of dolphins and maritime birds, including many pelicans, have been found dead in neighboring Peru in recent weeks. Environmental groups blamed oil exploration work, but Peru’s deputy environment minister Gabriel Quijandria, disputed the claim and said warming waters, which disturbs food supplies, was a possible cause. –Physics

source: http://theextinctionprotocol.wordpress.com/2012/05/12/two-thousand-dead-birds-found-along-6-km-stretch-of-chilean-beach/

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MASS BIRD DIE-OFF: 2,300 BIRDS FOUND MYSTERIOUSLY DEAD ALONG CHILEAN BEACHES?!

11:55 AM  ANDRE HEATH  NO COMMENTS

Chilean officials are asking fishermen to help save birds caught in nets after thousands of dead fowl appeared along coastal Chile this week.  At least 2,300 dead birds were found along beaches betweenCartagena and Playa de Santo Domingo, Chile, said Jose Luis Britos, and environment professor and director of the Museum of Natural History of San Antonio, Chile. 

Wildlife engineer Guillermo Boigorria, left, and regional prosecutor Lev Castro inspect sea bird in Peru,
which along with Chile has seen a rash of water bird deaths.

Many of the birds, which come from several species, had broken wings and bruising on the outside of their bodies -- injuries consistent with getting trapped in fishing nets, Britos said.  He said bird deaths from fishing nets occur every year, but never at this level. In a typical year, about 15 to 20 dead birds are found, Britos said.   One hypothesis for the increase this year involves climate. As Chilean weather gets colder this time of year, migrating birds that would normally travel north for warmth are instead lingering to feast on an influx of anchovies and sardines that had fled the coast of Peru in search of cooler waters.  Earlier this week, Peruvian authorities say warm waters off that country's coast are to blame for the deaths of more than 5,000 marine birds.  The Peruvian National Center for the Study of El Nino said that since February, the Peruvian coast has had an abundance of warm water as a result of marine currents throughout the world's oceans. The warm water has altered the marine ecosystem, it said.  

The warm water has led fish such as anchovies and other species that live in surface waters to migrate to deeper water toward the south. As a result, pelicans and other birds that feed from the surface of the water died of starvation.  "If these oceanographic conditions persist, it is likely that its impact will spread to other areas of the (Peruvian) coast even during the fall, which could make the numbers increase and affect other marine species," the report stated.  The Peruvian ministry of environment said seafood is still safe to eat, and encouraged everyone to continue to support local fishermen, according to state-run Andina news agency.  Officials in Peru continue to search for the cause of death of almost 900 dolphins since the beginning of the year. The health ministry is awaiting final results from molecular analysis looking for the morbillivirus, which previously has been linked to dolphin deaths.  The Chilean agriculture and livestock ministry and staff from Britos' center have called for a meeting with fishermen for Monday. They are asking fishermen to try to save trapped birds before closing their nets.  Britos said he worries that until Monday, the number of dead birds could rise significantly. - CNN.

WATCH: 7300 Birds Found Mysteriously Dead in Chile and Peru.


source: http://thecelestialconvergence.blogspot.com/2012/05/mass-bird-die-off-2300-birds-found.html

Report dead birds to track West Nile virus

June 13, 2012

By Staff

The impending arrival of summer also marks the start of mosquito season — and increased risk of West Nile virus.

State Department of Health officials asked citizens to report dead birds online in order to help track the virus. The location and testing of dead birds — especially crows, ravens, jays, magpies and hawks — is a way to track the West Nile virus.

Citizens can report dead birds at www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/Zoo/WNV/reportdeadbird.html. Officials encourage dead bird monitoring from May through November.

Mosquitoes spread West Nile virus after the insects feed on infected birds. The disease can sicken humans, horses, and many types of birds and other animals.

Most people do not feel the effects of infection, but in others, West Nile disease can cause severe symptoms, including brain and spinal cord diseases.

Statewide, health officials collected five positive mosquito samples in 2011 — down from 126 positive samples in 2010. Officials did not detect any bird, horse or human cases last year.

West Nile virus in Washington reached a high in 2009, as health officials documented 38 human cases, including one fatality.

source: http://snovalleystar.com/2012/06/13/report-dead-birds-to-track-west-nile-virus

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Posted on Fri, Jun. 01, 2012 

source: http://www.modbee.com/2012/06/01/v-print/2224273/dead-bird-in-modesto-tests-positive.html

Dead bird in Modesto tests positive for West Nile

By Patty Guerra
pguerra@modbee.com

last updated: June 01, 2012 11:33:44 PM

MODESTO -- ]

Culex Pipeins or more commonly known as a house mosquito carries the West Nile Virus in the the Modesto area. Culex Pipeins is the culpret ESMAD is primarily targeting. (Photo courtesy the East Side Mosquito Abatement District) - -

For the first time this year, a dead bird in Stanislaus County has tested positive for West Nile virus. The bird found in Modesto had the virus, Stanislaus County health officials announced Friday.

"This finding is sort of the sentinel event for us," said Dr. John Walker, Stanislaus County public health officer. "We are right on the doorstep of the beginning of the season."

As of Thursday, officials said, the virus has been detected in 10 other California counties and confirmed in 19 dead birds and six mosquito samples. That includes two birds in San Joaquin County.

It has not been detected in horses or humans.

"This early season concerns me," San Joaquin County health officer Dr. Karen Furst said. "Most people are not thinking about mosquitoes now."

West Nile virus is transmitted to humans and animals — often horses — through the bite of a mosquito carrying the virus. Hot weather, abandoned swimming pools and standing water create ideal conditions for the development of mosquitoes and the subsequent spread of the virus.

Most people who are infected will not experience any illness. About one in five will develop West Nile fever, with symptoms of headache, fever and fatigue. However, some individuals — fewer than 1 percent — will develop serious neurologic illness, such as encephalitis or meningitis. Older adults and those with compromised immune systems, such as diabetes patients, have the highest risk of becoming ill and developing complications.

Walker said the Central Valley has been a hotbed for the virus, which has become "endemic" — meaning it's here to stay.

"Our observation is that our county residents are letting their guard down as if the storm has passed," Walker said. "In 2005, we had an epidemic where we had more than 80 cases in our county. Since then, we have had decreases, but we're at a fairly steady point during the past four years."

In 2011, five people became ill to varying degrees with West Nile virus. How many human cases the county has in any particular year is impossible to say because so many people don't get symptoms, or just think they have the flu because the symptoms go away.

But for others, particularly older folks, the virus is dangerous. And because there's no vaccine for it, the best measures to take are those that fight mosquitoes. Walker advised people to wear mosquito repellent, preferably one containing DEET, whenever they're outside.

"It's most important at two times of day, at dawn and dusk," he said. "Those are when mosquitoes are most active in the environment."

He suggested runners out in the early morning wear long-sleeved shirts. And he advised caution for those attending Modesto Nuts or Little League baseball games.

"I'm very concerned especially for the grandparents who may be going to the games and watching their little ones play," he said.

Walker reiterated the annual warning about standing water; it only takes a small area of stagnant water to encourage mosquitoes to lay their eggs.

"It's surprising how little it takes for the eggs to grow," he said, warning residents to check water in places such as piles of old tires as well as splash pools and abandoned swimming pools in the neighborhood.

"The most serious threat in our community is neglected swimming pools," Walker said.

Walker said the season has been extending beyond the traditional summer months, with several cases reported after Labor Day last year. So throughout the summer and into the fall, it's important for residents to stay vigilant.

"The numbers (in the county) have been 20 or fewer cases," he said. "But because this disease is so serious and because it is preventable, we'd love to see it go to zero."

The Record (Stockton) contributed to this report.

Bee staff writer Patty Guerra can be reached at pguerra@modbee.com or (209) 578-2343.

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WEST NILE: AT A GLANCE

SYMPTOMS

• About one in five people infected will have fever, body aches, nausea, vomiting or swollen lymph glands, lasting a few days to several weeks.

• One in 150 of those infected suffer a debilitating attack, with fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, severe weakness, tremors, coma and paralysis. This form of the illness can be fatal or cause long-term neurological effects.

STEPS TO TAKE

• Use insect repellent with DEET when outdoors; wear long sleeves and long pants.

• Avoid being outdoors at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most likely to bite.

• Put screens on windows and doors.

• Empty standing water (in flower pots, buckets, empty tires, barrels or rain gutters).

• Change water regularly in pet dishes and birdbaths.

• Keep wading pools empty and on their sides when not in use.

• Report unusually high numbers of mosquitoes, as well as dead birds.

WHOM TO CALL

• East Side Mosquito Abatement District: (209) 522-4098

• Turlock Mosquito Abatement District: (209) 634-1234

• Merced Mosquito Abatement District: (209) 722-1527

• San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District: (209) 982-4675 or (800) 300-4675

To report dead birds or squirrels:

• Toll-free state hot line at (877) 968-2473, or visit www.westnile.ca.gov. Don't touch dead animals.

For more information:

• Call the West Nile virus hot line at (209) 558-8425 to hear recorded information in English and Spanish. You also can visit www.stanemergency.com.

West Nile Virus Activity Increases in Sacramento County as More Dead Birds and Mosquito Samples Test Positive

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 4, 2012

WEST NILE VIRUS ACTIVITY INCREASES IN SACRAMENTO COUNTY AS MORE

DEAD BIRDS AND MOSQUITO SAMPLES TEST POSITIVE

Wet weather will increase stagnant water and mosquito sources

Elk Grove, Calif.— The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito &Vector Control District announced

today that further evidence of West Nilevirus activity has been detected throughout

Sacramento County as  32 new mosquito samples and 4 birds  have tested

positive for the disease. The birds and mosquito samples have been collected from

different areas in SacramentoCounty but especially focused in communities near Gerber

and Calvine Rd.  “We’re very concerned about the level of intense activity we’re seeing

this season” said David Brown, District Manager. “While it’s not uncommon to find

widespread areas with dead birds and mosquito samples in August, finding virus activity

in June is certainly earlier than anything we’ve seen in recent years and we urge

residents to take these early indications seriously” he added. West Nile virus activity was

also detected last week in the city of Davis in Yolo County as dead birds and mosquito

samples also tested positive.

The increased activity comes as the region is getting a late rain storm which will create

even more aquatic sites capable of producing mosquitoes. “The excess water will

increase mosquito habitats. Now more than ever we need everyone to do their part and

drain mosquito breeding sources in their back yard” said Brown. “As the warming trend

continues for the remainder of the week, the virus will likely amplify and the risk of human

transmission will increase” said Brown.

In response to the recent findings, the District has started ground fogging around areas

where positive mosquitoes and birds have been found.

For current information about any treatments planned, please visit

www.FIGHTtheBITE.net. Residents may also subscribe to receive email notifications for

mosquito treatments by zip code.  To sign up go to Spray Notifications on the website.

2012 West Nilevirus activity update:

Level  2–Sacramento County: 23 dead birds and  42 mosquito samples have tested

positive for West Nile virus to date.

Level 2–Yolo County:  2 dead birds and 2 mosquito samples has tested positive for

West Nile virus to date

 source: http://www.fightthebite.net/2012/06/04/2041/

MASS BIRD DIE-OFF: HUNDREDS OF BIRDS FOUND DEAD IN MELBOURNE'S EAST?!

1:15 AM  ANDRE HEATH  NO COMMENTS

The Department of Sustainability and Environment has urged people not to feed native birds after hundreds were found dead in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

File Photo.

The suspected cause was bacterial bowel infection necrotic enteritis. DSE biodiversity incident planning officer Kirsty Greengrass said the infection was easily spread. 

“The disease is spread through droppings from sick birds and a single sick bird can easily pass it on to healthy birds congregating at feed sites,” Ms Greengrass said. 

Birds have enough natural food available. Dead birds should be disposed of by using a plastic bag as a glove, then double bagged and put in the bin. Birds should not be buried because dogs or cats may dig them up. - Maroondah Leader.

source: http://thecelestialconvergence.blogspot.com/2012/06/mass-bird-die-off-hundreds-of-birds.html