Latest news with #Folly
Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Anyone with blackbirds in garden asked to do simple thing as virus spreads
The Usutu virus, which can be transmitted by infected mosquitoes to blackbirds, appears to be spreading rapidly in the UK and particularly in the south of England UK households are being called upon to aid scientists in tracking a mosquito-borne disease that's threatening the nation's blackbirds. Those with gardens visited by these birds are urged to join a national study aimed at gauging the health of native bird populations. The Usutu virus, known for affecting blackbirds and spread by mosquitoes, is on the rise in the UK, particularly in the south. This has coincided with a worrying decline in some blackbird populations, sparking fears for the future of these cherished songbirds. Experts are keeping a watchful eye on the situation, as global warming could allow mosquitoes and their associated diseases to widen their territory. To get a clearer picture of how the Usutu virus is impacting blackbirds, scientists are inviting those who spot these birds in their gardens to partake in a dedicated counting initiative. The British Trust for Ornithology has stated: "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. "If you have access to a garden, have an interest in garden birds and can recognise a Blackbird by sight, then this survey could be for you!" The newly launched survey will continue through September. The public is being asked to keep an eye on the number of blackbirds they spot, as well as their behaviours such as foraging for food or using a pond or puddle. The aim is for each participant to conduct a 15-minute survey once a week throughout the duration of the study, reports Chronicle Live. This initiative is part of the Vector-Borne RADAR project, a joint effort between the Animal and Plant Health Agency, the UK Health Security Agency, and the Zoological Society of London. "We've seen that the virus has spread further than we thought it might do, and it's persisted," Dr Arran Folly from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) revealed to the BBC. Based in Weybridge, Surrey, APHA experts have been keeping tabs on mosquito-borne diseases in wild birds for years, due to growing concerns that climate change is turning Europe into a potential breeding ground for these insects. This virus has been spreading worldwide and arrived in Europe three decades ago. However, in the UK, all test results were negative until 2020. Following the heatwave in the summer of that year, Usutu was detected in several blackbirds in Greater London. "Blackbirds specifically are quite susceptible to the virus and since 2020 we've found a decline in blackbirds of approximately 40% in Greater London," Dr Folly disclosed. "It gives an indication that in the future we might get other viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes emerging in the UK."
Metro
16-05-2025
- Health
- Metro
Virus carried to UK by mosquitoes 'has killed up to 40% of local blackbirds'
A mosquito-borne disease whose spread is fuelled by climate change is decimating blackbird populations in parts of Britain, scientists have warned. The deadly Usutu virus, first discovered in southern Africa 80 years ago, has been spreading around Europe over the last three decades. It was detected for the first time in the UK in 2020, when several blackbirds in the London area were found to be carrying it following that year's summer heatwave. Since then, the Greater London blackbird population has declined by around 40%, according to Dr Arran Folly of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). It has been detected as far west as Dorset and as far north as Cambridgeshire. 'We've seen that the virus has spread further than we thought it might do, and it's persisted,' Dr Folly told the BBC. Blackbirds are particularly vulnerable to the virus, though other wild birds are also at risk. The APHA has been tracking mosquito-borne disease in wild birds for decades. Researchers have warned that longer summers, hotter temperatures and heavy rainfall are increasingly turning Europe into a 'breeding ground' for mosquitoes. More Trending There have been no reported human Usutu cases in the UK, though 46 infections had been confirmed across the rest of Europe as of 2019. Patients mostly experienced no symptoms, though some people with compromised immune systems experienced neurological symptoms such as encephalitis. Dr Folly said his team's finding 'gives an indication that in the future we might get other viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes emerging in the UK'. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Transform your dog's health with a Pure Pet Food subscription from 89p per day MORE: Speed camera catches a duck doing nearly double the limit twice in seven years MORE: Town horrified by mystery of 'exploding' birds found dead in their gardens
Daily Record
16-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Homeowners with blackbirds in garden warned to take action
The Usutu virus, which can be transmitted by infected mosquitoes to blackbirds, has raised concerns for the well-being of the birds A mosquito-borne disease that has recently been detected in the UK has seen a rapid spread, posing a potential threat to native bird species. The Usutu virus, known for affecting blackbirds, has stirred concern amongst scientists regarding the wellbeing of these beloved songbirds. The latest figures suggest that over the past five years, the Usutu virus has spread widely throughout southern England, correlating with a noticeable drop in some blackbird populations. With climate change potentially allowing mosquitoes and their associated diseases greater leeway to extend their reach, experts are vigilantly assessing the situation. Researchers are calling on people who observe blackbirds in their gardens to aid in a special counting initiative to gauge the impact of the Usutu virus on blackbird numbers. The British Trust for Ornithology explained: "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." Further explaining the initiative, the BTO said: "If you have access to a garden, have an interest in garden birds and can recognise a blackbird by sight, then this survey could be for you!" This newly introduced survey is set to continue until September, reports Chronicle Live. The Vector-Borne RADAR initiative has teamed up with the Animal and Plant Health Agency, the UK Health Security Agency, and the Zoological Society of London, as reported by the Express. "We've seen that the virus has spread further than we thought it might do, and it's persisted," said Dr Arran Folly from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) in a conversation with the BBC. The APHA specialists in Weybridge, Surrey, have been tracking the prevalence of mosquito-borne diseases in wild birds for years, concerned that climate change could be turning Europe into a more inviting environment for the insects. Worsened by extended warm periods, climbing temperatures, and significant rainfall, Europe is witnessing conditions that welcome mosquitoes to regions previously inhospitable to them. Until 2020, surveillance efforts yielded no positive findings. Nevertheless, in the aftermath of 2020's heatwave, the presence of Usutu was verified in multiple blackbirds throughout Greater London. "Blackbirds specifically are quite susceptible to the virus and since 2020 we've found a decline in blackbirds of approximately 40-per cent in Greater London," revealed Dr Folly. He warned: "It gives an indication that in the future we might get other viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes emerging in the UK." The health of wild birds is under increasing threat, challenged not only by diseases like Usutu but by habitat destruction, alterations in climate, and pesticide usage as well. What is Usutu? The Usutu virus was first identified over fifty years ago near the Usutu River in southern Africa. It has since spread globally, reaching Europe three decades ago, and was detected for the first time in the UK in 2020. Blackbirds are particularly susceptible to the virus, which can also affect horses and occasionally humans. The virus is generally considered low risk to humans, with no reported cases in the UK to date. It has now been found in wild birds across a large area of southern England, extending as far west as Dorset and as far north as Cambridgeshire. The exact threat Usutu poses to wild birds remains unclear. The virus has been associated with mass blackbird deaths in other parts of Europe, but this doesn't seem to be the case in the UK. The blackbird continues to be one of the most common garden birds, with stable populations in many regions, especially in rural areas and the north. To solve this mystery and gather more data on blackbird numbers, scientists have partnered with the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). They're appealing for volunteers to count blackbirds in their gardens over the summer months to gain further insight. During this season, blackbirds are actively breeding and raising their young. They can often be seen hopping along the ground or singing from tree branches on warm summer evenings.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mosquito-borne killer disease threatens blackbirds
A mosquito-borne disease freshly arrived in Britain has spread large distances, with scientists racing to understand the risks to wild birds. Infected insects can spread the deadly Usutu virus to blackbirds, raising fears for the famous songsters. New data shows Usutu has spread across much of southern England in five years, and has been linked to declines in some blackbird populations. Scientists are monitoring its spread amid warnings that mosquitoes and the diseases they carry may expand their range under climate change. "We've seen that the virus has spread further than we thought it might do, and it's persisted," Dr Arran Folly of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) told the BBC. Scientists at the APHA in Weybridge, Surrey, have been tracking mosquito-borne diseases in wild birds for decades, amid warnings that climate change is turning Europe into a potential breeding ground for the insects. Longer summers, hotter temperatures and heavy rainfall are creating conditions for the nuisance insects to move into areas that were previously inhospitable to them. Until 2020, all results came back clear. Then, after the summer heatwave of that year, Usutu was detected in several blackbirds in Greater London. "Blackbirds specifically are quite susceptible to the virus and since 2020 we've found a decline in blackbirds of approximately 40% in Greater London," said Dr Folly. "It gives an indication that in the future we might get other viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes emerging in the UK." Diseases such as Usutu are a growing threat to wild birds, amid a host of other pressures, including habitat loss, climate change and pesticide use. Usutu virus was first detected more than half a century ago around southern Africa's Usutu River It has since spread around the world, reaching Europe three decades ago, and was picked up for the first time in the UK in 2020 Blackbirds are particularly susceptible to the virus, which can also infect horses and, from time to time, humans. The virus is regarded as generally of low risk to people, and there have been no human cases reported in the UK to date. The latest data shows that Usutu has spread further than the scientists expected. It has now been detected in wild birds across much of southern England, at least as far west as Dorset and as far north as Cambridgeshire. How big a risk Usutu poses to wild birds is uncertain. The virus has been linked to mass die-offs of blackbirds elsewhere in Europe, though that doesn't seem to be the case in Britain. And the blackbird remains one of the commonest garden birds with numbers holding steady in many parts of the country, especially in rural areas, and in the north. To untangle the puzzle – and gather more data on blackbird numbers – the scientists have joined forces with the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). They are calling for volunteers to count blackbirds in their gardens over the summer months to find out more about the comings and goings of the birds. Around now blackbirds are breeding and raising their young, frequently seen hopping along the ground and singing from the branches of trees on summer evenings. Lucy Love, a garden birdwatch ambassador for the BTO, knows the blackbirds in her gardens by sight and has grown fond of them. "They're beautiful birds – intelligent, friendly and they have the most beautiful song with a lovely melodic tone to it," she explained. "And we cannot lose them – they're a vital part of our ecosystem."
Arab Times
14-05-2025
- Arab Times
Brazil's military police kill leader of drug trafficking group in a Rio favela
RIO DE JANEIRO, May 14, (AP): Brazilian military police on Tuesday killed the main leader of a drug trafficking group in a Rio de Janeiro favela as well as two other suspected criminals, authorities said. A fierce shootout broke out after Rio's military police found Thiago da Silva Folly in a bunker in the Mare complex of low-income neighborhoods, police said. Folly was killed, while another two were wounded and taken to a hospital, but later died from their injuries. Folly was the main leader of the Pure Third Command faction in Mare, police said. "The objective was to arrest the leader of the faction, but he chose to engage in confrontation," Gov Cláudio Castro was quoted as saying in the statement. "Once again, we demonstrate that there will be no truce for these extremely violent criminals.' Police said Folly had 227 criminal charges against him and 17 outstanding arrest warrants. One of the warrants was related to the killing of two military police officers during an operation in Mare in June. Folly was also under investigation for his involvement in the death of a soldier in 2014 and for attacks on members of the National Public Security Force in 2016, police added. The organ also said he also coordinated paramilitary training within the community. The operation, launched early Tuesday, shut down main roads and rerouted bus lines. Local news outlet G1 reported that at least two schools were closed.
