Disease Alert in UK - Stop feeding now!! (1 Viewer)

Cuckoo-shrike · Sep 2, 2006

I have it on good authority that an epidemic is spreading rapidly through finches in the UK, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths. Garden feeding stations are heavily implicated in the transmission of the disease and people should stop feeding immediately and thoroughly disinfect or remove all feeders, drinking and bathing bowls.

Sadly, politics prevent me naming the source of this information.

stevetb · Sep 2, 2006

are you serious?

Andrew Rowlands · Sep 2, 2006

I think Andy is serious on all counts.

I'm trying to track down some details but no luck yet.

Regards,

Andy.

Cuckoo-shrike · Sep 2, 2006

AC/DC said:
are you serious?

Yes, deadly serious.

deborah4 · Sep 2, 2006

Aquila said:
Yes, deadly serious.

Any chance of you getting this thread moved to the News, Views & Reporting forum so more people can see it and keep in touch with whats going on. More information is obviously needed, and a lot of people might be concerned about following the advice until they're better informed as to what is going on. I have a young family of greenfinches which I'm concerned will be especially hard hit if I remove all the water and feeders suddenly from the garden. If we need to act on this then we must, but at least it will be an informed decision.

(btw: are your sources DEFRA by any chance)

joannec · Sep 2, 2006

deborah4 said:
More information is obviously needed, and a lot of people might be concerned about following the advice until they're better informed as to what is going on.

(btw: are your sources DEFRA by any chance)

Absolutely, rumours, right or wrong will spread and we want to do the right thing without being alarmist. So at the risk of being politically incorrect can someone tell what these "deadly risks" are.

Cuckoo-shrike · Sep 2, 2006

I don't know if the thread needs moving Deborah: it's had 170 views already.
Joanne, I've already pointed out the risks. It's the source of the information that I'm not at liberty to divulge.
All I know is that it's a strain of disease that was first identified last year, it's extremely virulent and it has already killed many thousands of Chaffinches, Greenfinches and even Siskins in the UK.
If you must continue feeding then you must be absolutely scrupulous about hygiene. But this is hardly a time of year when there are natural food shortages.

baillieswells · Sep 3, 2006

Aquila said:
I have it on good authority that an epidemic is spreading rapidly through finches in the UK, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths. Garden feeding stations are heavily implicated in the transmission of the disease and people should stop feeding immediately and thoroughly disinfect or remove all feeders, drinking and bathing bowls.

Sadly, politics prevent me naming the source of this information.

Are we talking about Trichomonas, which during the hot summer weather in the UK, appears to have spread from Pigeons and Doves, where it is known as canker, to finches?

David FG · Sep 3, 2006

I am puzzled as to why it is all so 'hush hush'.

Why can't the source be named?: it's unlikely to be MI5 (or at least, I would imagine not.)

alcedo.atthis · Sep 3, 2006

"I have it on "good authority"?? that an epidemic is spreading rapidly through finches in the UK, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths. Garden feeding stations are heavily implicated in the transmission of the disease and people should stop feeding immediately and thoroughly disinfect or remove all feeders, drinking and bathing bowls.

Sadly, politics prevent me naming the source of this information."

What and where is the source of this?? It's certainly not DEFRA, although they are concerned that there name has been used in connection with this post, and NOT denied as the source.
Someone reading old literature perhaps, and overreacting.
If you wish something to read, here you have it from DEFRA

http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/vla/science/documents/science-end-oie05.pdf
and especially
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/vla/science/documents/science-end-survrep-qtlyw0106.pdf

I love hype!!

Regards

Malky

Cuckoo-shrike · Sep 3, 2006

baillieswells said:
Are we talking about Trichomonas, which during the hot summer weather in the UK, appears to have spread from Pigeons and Doves, where it is known as canker, to finches?

I'm sorry, but I don't have any further details on which disease is involved.

Cuckoo-shrike · Sep 3, 2006

alcedo.atthis said:
What and where is the source of this?? It's certainly not DEFRA, although they are concerned that there name has been used in connection with this post, and NOT denied as the source.
Someone reading old literature perhaps, and overreacting.
If you wish something to read, here you have it from DEFRA

http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/vla/science/documents/science-end-oie05.pdf
and especially
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/vla/science/documents/science-end-survrep-qtlyw0106.pdf

I love hype!!

Regards

Malky

The source is not DEFRA. It is not from old literature and is no over-reaction. The publications you quote relate to reports up to May this year. The crisis is current and ongoing.
I really am sorry about the cloak and dagger stuff but, as I said, there are politics involved. The whole thing stinks quite frankly.

baillieswells · Sep 3, 2006

Aquila said:
I'm sorry, but I don't have any further details on which disease is involved.

All this 'cloak and dagger' stuff is absurd, either the facts should be produced, or people should keep their mouths shut.

Collster · Sep 3, 2006

i know earlier this year members of a local birdclub were reporting sick or dead greenfinch in and around gardens

Collster · Sep 3, 2006

baillieswells said:
All this 'cloak and dagger' stuff is absurd, either the facts should be produced, or people should keep their mouths shut.

Steady on there, no need to shoot the messenger !

Cuckoo-shrike · Sep 3, 2006

baillieswells said:
All this 'cloak and dagger' stuff is absurd, either the facts should be produced, or people should keep their mouths shut.

Shame you won't trust me on this.
I won't post any more on this thread, but I hope that by raising awareness, a few birds may have been saved.
All may be revealed in due course.

alcedo.atthis · Sep 3, 2006

"Shame you won't trust me on this.
I won't post any more on this thread, but I hope that by raising awareness, a few birds may have been saved.
All may be revealed in due course."

Well, here's up to 21st August, next report 11th September, 8 days away, wow!! I cannot wait.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/wildbirds/survey-results.htm

When is the next episode of Harry Potter due??

Regards

Malky

Penny Clarke · Sep 3, 2006

Aquila said:
Shame you won't trust me on this.
I won't post any more on this thread, but I hope that by raising awareness, a few birds may have been saved.
All may be revealed in due course.

Hi Andy

Thank you for your information Andy. I don't think people want to stop feeding their beloved birds unless absolutely, officially told not to!!! I am sure ALL people reading this will be 'scrupulously' cleaning their feeders and ponds, as you should do anyway, rather than removing everything. Thank you for informing us, meanwhile we will wait to hear officially.

Best Wishes Penny

P.S. I always scrub out my ponds quite simply with a wire brush and clean water. But my feeders I immerse and clean with hot water and washing up liquid in a bucket, any better suggestions? Should I be using a disinfectant of some kind eg bleach? I have never used anything more than washing up liquid as I don't like using chemicals uneccessarily. Any correct cleaning suggestions I am sure will be helpful to many people.

Cuckoo-shrike · Sep 3, 2006

alcedo.atthis said:
"Shame you won't trust me on this.
I won't post any more on this thread, but I hope that by raising awareness, a few birds may have been saved.
All may be revealed in due course."

Well, here's up to 21st August, next report 11th September, 8 days away, wow!! I cannot wait.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/wildbirds/survey-results.htm

When is the next episode of Harry Potter due??

Regards

Malky

Clever use of sarcasm Malky, but you may end up with a large amount of egg on your face.
Sorry, just had to respond...

Cuckoo-shrike · Sep 3, 2006

Penny Clarke said:
Hi Andy

Should I be using a disinfectant of some kind eg bleach? I have never used anything more than washing up liquid as I don't like using chemicals uneccessarily. Any correct cleaning suggestions I am sure will be helpful to many people.

I've seen Jeyes fluid recommended Penny.

Disease Alert in UK - Stop feeding now!! (1 Viewer)

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