UK households warned to check on blackbirds if they come into gardens
Scientists warn that a deadly disease has been culling blackbird populations - here's what you need to know and the signs that blackbirds in your garden may be infected
Scientists have urged those with blackbirds flitting around their garden to watch out – as they may be carrying a horrifying mosquito-borne disease.
Alarms have been raised after almost half the species' population has been killed by the sickness. Known as the Usutu virus, it has decimated the London blackbird population by about 40% since 2020. Now the disease is spreading rapidly across the UK and, in particular, southern England. To combat its spread, garden-owners have been urged to monitor any blackbirds that they see in their garden.
Dr Arran Folly from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) told the BBC: "We've seen that the virus has spread further than we thought it might do, and it's persisted. Blackbirds specifically are quite susceptible to the virus.'
He added that its prevalence indicates that the UK might see other viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes beginning to emerge. Particularly in warmer weather conditions.
Scientists from the APHA in Weybridge, Surrey, have warned this may be linked to climate change. Hotter temperatures and heavier rainfall make it easier for mosquitos to spread in climates previously inhospitable to them.
The Usutu virus was first discovered in southern Africa 80 years ago as a deadly zoonotic disease that mainly spread between mosquitos and birds. It was first detected in Austria in 2001 and has been spreading through Europe since.
It reached the UK in 2020, where it was picked up for the first time after several blackbirds in the London area were found to be carrying it, following that year's summer heatwave.
Signs that a blackbird may be suffering from Usutu include weakness and lethargy, poor co-ordination, ruffled feathers and a drooping head or wings. They also display a reluctance to fly.
More seriously, watch out for birds suffering from seizures or gasping for breath. Although, it's important to remember that they may not display any obvious signs.
The virus can be highly deadly, as it infects multiple organs in the bird's body. This includes the kidneys and the brain.
Scientists and The British Trust for Ornithology are calling for volunteers to count blackbirds in their gardens over the summer months. This is to help them find out more about the comings and goings of the birds.
As reported by The Sun, The British Trust for Ornithology said: "The Blackbirds in Gardens project will help us understand how Blackbirds use gardens, and the potential effects of the Usutu virus on their population in the UK.' The survey will run until September and takes 15 minutes to complete.
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Somerset campaigner warns blackbird decline is 'taste of future'
A young ornithologist has warned a mosquito-born disease linked to a sharp decline in blackbird populations "is a taste of things to come".Mya-Rose Craig, from the Chew Valley in Somerset, says the spread of the Usutu virus is more proof British wildlife is struggling "in a way people don't realise".Ms Craig, 23, known as BirdGirlUK on social media, has been campaigning for the environment since the age of 13 and launched the Black2Nature initiative to encourage children from minority backgrounds to engage in conservation."One of the reasons [blackbird decline] concerns me is because it's getting worse because of climate change," she said. Data published earlier this week revealed Usutu has spread across most of southern England in just five years, and blackbird populations in Greater London have fallen as much as 40% in that monitoring the progress of the virus fear mosquitos will expand their range as the planet warms, spreading the diseases they Craig, who was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Bristol in 2020, told BBC Breakfast: "My biggest concern is that blackbirds are one the most common species in the UK, they are everywhere. "When you heard bird song, it's quite often blackbirds that you are hearing, so I think it's quite upsetting." She added: "I think on top of the disease, one of the reasons it concerns me is because it's getting worse because of climate change."Because of warmer weather and increased flooding, so it feels like kind of a taste of what's to come."Ms Craig said she was a "big defender" of the UKs "small, brown" birds."I think our garden species are so special which is why I find it so worrying, the speed of decline we are experiencing at the moment," she said. "Our wildlife is really, really struggling in the UK in a way I don't think people really realise."Ms Craig added blackbirds are far from the only species to be hit by climate change, pointing out that the starling populations have fallen 80% since the does a lot of campaigning based on the mental health benefits of being close to nature."I think a lot if the time when we are talking about species decline it feels very separate, but actually imagine a city without bird song - it has a really terrible knock-on effect on people as well," she said.
Daily Mirror
24-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
UK households warned to check on blackbirds if they come into gardens
Scientists warn that a deadly disease has been culling blackbird populations - here's what you need to know and the signs that blackbirds in your garden may be infected Scientists have urged those with blackbirds flitting around their garden to watch out – as they may be carrying a horrifying mosquito-borne disease. Alarms have been raised after almost half the species' population has been killed by the sickness. Known as the Usutu virus, it has decimated the London blackbird population by about 40% since 2020. Now the disease is spreading rapidly across the UK and, in particular, southern England. To combat its spread, garden-owners have been urged to monitor any blackbirds that they see in their garden. Dr Arran Folly from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) told the BBC: "We've seen that the virus has spread further than we thought it might do, and it's persisted. Blackbirds specifically are quite susceptible to the virus.' He added that its prevalence indicates that the UK might see other viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes beginning to emerge. Particularly in warmer weather conditions. Scientists from the APHA in Weybridge, Surrey, have warned this may be linked to climate change. Hotter temperatures and heavier rainfall make it easier for mosquitos to spread in climates previously inhospitable to them. The Usutu virus was first discovered in southern Africa 80 years ago as a deadly zoonotic disease that mainly spread between mosquitos and birds. It was first detected in Austria in 2001 and has been spreading through Europe since. It reached the UK in 2020, where it was picked up for the first time after several blackbirds in the London area were found to be carrying it, following that year's summer heatwave. Signs that a blackbird may be suffering from Usutu include weakness and lethargy, poor co-ordination, ruffled feathers and a drooping head or wings. They also display a reluctance to fly. More seriously, watch out for birds suffering from seizures or gasping for breath. Although, it's important to remember that they may not display any obvious signs. The virus can be highly deadly, as it infects multiple organs in the bird's body. This includes the kidneys and the brain. Scientists and The British Trust for Ornithology are calling for volunteers to count blackbirds in their gardens over the summer months. This is to help them find out more about the comings and goings of the birds. As reported by The Sun, The British Trust for Ornithology said: "The Blackbirds in Gardens project will help us understand how Blackbirds use gardens, and the potential effects of the Usutu virus on their population in the UK.' The survey will run until September and takes 15 minutes to complete.
The Independent
23-05-2025
- The Independent
Deadly West Nile virus found in UK mosquitoes. What you need to know
For the first time, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has detected signs of the West Nile virus in mosquitoes within the UK, prompting increased disease surveillance. While the risk to the public remains "very low," the UKHSA has confirmed that surveillance and control measures are being intensified. This development comes as experts warn that climate change is driving the spread of mosquito-borne diseases to new regions. The UKHSA and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) said 'fragments of West Nile Virus genetic material' were found in some Aedes vexans mosquitoes collected in wetlands on the River Idle at Gamston, near Retford in Nottinghamshire, in July 2023. What is the West Nile virus? West Nile virus is usually found in birds, and usually circulates through bird-biting mosquitoes. In rare cases mosquitoes can transmit the virus to humans or horses. While there have been no cases of West Nile Virus acquired in the UK, seven cases linked to travel have been identified since the year 2000. The UKHSA said there is 'no evidence to suggest ongoing circulation of the virus in birds or mosquitoes in the UK'. But it said that 'disease surveillance and control activities are being enhanced in light of the findings'. And it is issuing advice to health workers so that patients with encephalitis – or swelling of the brain – of an unknown cause can be tested as a precaution. Dr Meera Chand, from the UKHSA, said: 'While this is the first detection of West Nile virus in mosquitoes in the UK so far, it is not unexpected as the virus is already widespread in Europe. 'The risk to the general public is currently assessed as very low. 'Vector research of this kind is designed to give us early warning of potential threats so that we can enhance our disease surveillance and control activities and ensure patients receive appropriate testing.' What are the symptoms of West Nile Virus? West Nile Virus, which typically causes flu-like symptoms but can lead to severe illness, is endemic in various parts of the world and experts said that the 'geographic range' has expanded in recent years to more northerly and western regions of mainland Europe. The UKHSA said that as temperatures warm due to climate change, tick and mosquito species not currently native to the UK will begin to find the UK's climate more 'bearable'. Other types of mosquito can arrive in the UK by various means including becoming trapped in cars and lorries crossing borders and in shipping containers. Dr Arran Folly, from the APHA, added: 'The detection of West Nile virus in the UK is part of a wider changing landscape where, in the wake of climate change, mosquito-borne diseases are expanding to new areas. 'Our primary focus is to understand how viruses move into the country and how they are transmitted. 'Combined, this can help us identify areas that may be at increased risk of outbreaks.' Dr Jolyon Medlock, from the UKHSA, added: ' Mosquitoes in the UK are also commonly found in wet woodland areas and various aquatic habitats, including ponds, ditches, marshes, and even garden water butts or cisterns. 'To avoid being bitten by a mosquito when in these types of areas, wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers to cover your arms and legs, use insect repellent on your skin (ideally one that contains the ingredient DEET), close windows and doors whenever possible, or use blinds or screens.'
