A mystery disease sweeping across Warsaw and leaving a trail of dead birds in its wake has been identified as West Nile virus.
Spread by mosquitoes, the virus has so far claimed the lives of dozens of birds in the Polish capital, with the majority of infected birds being hooded crows, jackdaw, and magpies.
After receiving reports from concerned locals who saw flocks of ‘zombie-like’ birds staggering around before keeling over dead, at the end of July city officials turned to scientists for an explanation.
Initially drawing a blank after testing for bird flu and the highly contagious Newcastle disease, scientists then took samples from seven birds found in five Warsaw districts.
On Tuesday, Poland’s Chief Sanitary Inspector and Chief Veterinary Officer released a joint statement saying they had identified the virus.
The statement said: “On July 24, the District Veterinary Officer in Warsaw took samples from four dead birds from district and sent them for testing.
“On July 25, negative test results were received. Another seven samples were collected and submitted on July 29, 2024.
“In five of the seven samples from gray crows submitted for testing […] the presence of genetic material of the West Nile virus was found.”
It added that the results had been confirmed by a specialized EU laboratory in Paris.
Since the beginning of 2024, 72 cases of animals infected with West Nile virus have been recorded in the European Union.
The largest number of infections appeared in Italy (33), Spain (8), Germany (8) and Austria (7).
Although the condition primarily affects birds, humans and other mammals can become ‘accidental’ hosts.
So far this year, eight people have died of West Nile virus in Europe, with case numbers highest in the south of the continent.
Symptoms include headaches, malaise, fever, vomiting and fatigue.
Although around 80% of people infected show no symptoms, in about 20% of patients symptoms can include fever, headache, backache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
A rash may occur in some patients, with acute symptoms lasting three to 10 days.
Around one in 150 infected people develop a neuroinfection which attacks the central nervous system.
The mortality of those with this form of infection is about 10%.
Following the identification of the disease attacking Warsaw birds, Polish health officials said: “The virus does not spread between people. You cannot get infected by coughing, sneezing or touching.
“The best way to prevent infection with this virus is to eliminate blood-sucking insects from the environment and reduce exposure to these insect bites by wearing appropriate clothing and using repellents.
"People who have professional contact with sick or dead birds are advised to use disposable gloves, protective masks for the mouth and nose, and protective glasses when handling potentially infected biological material. Bystanders should not touch dead birds.”
After receiving reports from concerned locals who saw flocks of ‘zombie-like’ birds staggering around before keeling over dead, at the end of July city officials turned to scientists for an explanation.
Initially drawing a blank after testing for bird flu and the highly contagious Newcastle disease, scientists then took samples from seven birds found in five Warsaw districts.
On Tuesday, Poland’s Chief Sanitary Inspector and Chief Veterinary Officer released a joint statement saying they had identified the virus.
The statement said: “On July 24, the District Veterinary Officer in Warsaw took samples from four dead birds from district and sent them for testing.
“On July 25, negative test results were received. Another seven samples were collected and submitted on July 29, 2024.
“In five of the seven samples from gray crows submitted for testing […] the presence of genetic material of the West Nile virus was found.”
It added that the results had been confirmed by a specialized EU laboratory in Paris.
Since the beginning of 2024, 72 cases of animals infected with West Nile virus have been recorded in the European Union.
The largest number of infections appeared in Italy (33), Spain (8), Germany (8) and Austria (7).
Although the condition primarily affects birds, humans and other mammals can become ‘accidental’ hosts.
So far this year, eight people have died of West Nile virus in Europe, with case numbers highest in the south of the continent.
Symptoms include headaches, malaise, fever, vomiting and fatigue.
Although around 80% of people infected show no symptoms, in about 20% of patients symptoms can include fever, headache, backache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
A rash may occur in some patients, with acute symptoms lasting three to 10 days.
Around one in 150 infected people develop a neuroinfection which attacks the central nervous system.
The mortality of those with this form of infection is about 10%.
Following the identification of the disease attacking Warsaw birds, Polish health officials said: “The virus does not spread between people. You cannot get infected by coughing, sneezing or touching.
“The best way to prevent infection with this virus is to eliminate blood-sucking insects from the environment and reduce exposure to these insect bites by wearing appropriate clothing and using repellents.
"People who have professional contact with sick or dead birds are advised to use disposable gloves, protective masks for the mouth and nose, and protective glasses when handling potentially infected biological material. Bystanders should not touch dead birds.”
Source: pap/polsat
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