George Ruiz
Guest
Jul 03, 2004
8:56 PM
|
Does WEST NILE VIRUS infect pigeons ?
|
MCCORMICKLOFTS
89 posts
Jul 04, 2004
12:01 AM
|
My understanding is that there are some 160 species of birds that can be infected and die from WNV. In regards to pigeons the information I read stated that like other birds, pigeons can be infected and will most likely die from it, but an infected pigeon cannot transmit it to another. It is only transmittable through the mosquito which if one bites an infected pigeon, cannot get enough of the virus from the bird to then pass it on. Basically from what I read in the USDA reports was yes the pigeon can die from it, but no they can't infect the rest of your flock.
|
Russ
Guest
Jul 11, 2004
6:17 AM
|
Has anyone lost any pigeons to WNV yet? The crows in my area are dropping dead like flies and I was wondering what the symptoms are in an infected pigeon.
|
MCCORMICKLOFTS
94 posts
Jul 11, 2004
4:53 PM
|
There are a lot of pigeon folks around me and I haven't heard of anyone having a problem, though WNV is here. I live in a horse town so they have a very active mosquito program going on. In fact I haven't seen a mosquito yet this year here, but I have heard of lots of dying crows so obviously they are around. I have read that most birds will not show any signs of being infected, but supposedly it takes between 3-15 days for an infected bird to die, if it is going to die, which means to me they would show some signs of illness. Several of the APHIS reports I have read stated that in pigeons and other fowl that they appeared to have died from naturally occuring diseases in the species.
Brian.
|
highroller
50 posts
Nov 08, 2004
4:09 PM
|
Someone a few miles from me found a dead hawk recently and called the DNR who promptly came out and picked it up. They were just notified by the DNR that the hawk died of West Nile. This is the first I heard of it killing hawks but the DNR said West Nile has been getting a fair number of hawks and owls lately. Mosquito season is over now that we have had frost but maybe the hawk had been infected for some time before it died. Maybe nature is finally curbing the preditor population that has exploded in recent years.
Dan
Last Edited by highroller on Nov 08, 2004 4:09 PM
|
J_Star
124 posts
Dec 21, 2004
7:37 PM
|
I just received the National Poultry News and there was a big article about WNV. It does effect pigeons and they can infect the rest of the flock. They usually die in a day or two from infection.
There is a mention that garlic spray is very effective in keeping them away. You can find them at home centers with other bug sprays or make your own. Protect your self too. It also say that a bad dose of it is worse that any flue you ever had. You may not die of it but you'll wish you could....
To make your own Garlic Spray.. This is a courtesy of Steve Jones..
Take 2 whole bulbs of garlic and blend with the blender 1/2 to 2/3 full of water. When it's liquified, strain out all solids using several layers of cheesecloth or use old panty hose, add enough water to make one gallon of concentrate. You can add a couple ounces of orange oil, can be found at organic nurseries. Use 1/4 cup of concentrate per gallon of water as a spray. You can add a couple of Habenero peppers to the blender for all round pest control spray. Wash your hands carefully.
I just want to share this with you all. Hope it will help.
Jay
|
Mount Airy Lofts
5 posts
Dec 22, 2004
9:06 PM
|
There is a fellow here who has been in the hobby for 30 years. He has many contacts in the hobby and has assured me there is no way a pigeon is capable of contracting the West Nile. If I recall correct, the fellow he knows in the Bird of Prey department relayed him this info.
I had a Racing Homer (one of two which I use to use as foster parents) die in a neighbors yard a acouple of years back. There were no signs of trama so I figured it must be linked to The West Nile outbreak we had in our state acouple of years back and never thought about it since... until a visit I had with the Veteran competition flier last year. His back yard is filled w/billions (atleast it felt like it) of with blood sucking mosquito and hence the question of West Nile came into play.
Just my experience tho... it's as good as gold in my mind that pigeons are immune to the West Nile.
Flying them,
Thor
P.S. We have a huge problem with these blood suckers most of the year and but don't see much cases of The West Nile except in the Birds of Prey deprement (Hawks, Owls, Falcons, Eagles...)
Last Edited by Mount Airy Lofts on Dec 22, 2004 9:13 PM
|
MCCORMICKLOFTS
355 posts
Dec 22, 2004
9:45 PM
|
According to the USDA and APHIS reports I have read Pigeons can be infected with WNV but are not considered a vector for the disease. Meaning, if infected by a mosquito, if bitten by another it does not host enough of the disease to pass it on to the next potential carrier. It cannot shed it and in most cases they showed they don't die from it unless they are already ill or weak. According to what I have read, they are not immune, but experience a very low mortality rate.
Brian.
|
fhtfire
84 posts
Dec 22, 2004
10:11 PM
|
Brian,
You are right..check out the info on my West Nile post. I have a web page with the Center for Disease control...You are right..they can't pass it on, but they do die sometimes...but not from the WNV itself but from there immune system being wacked from the WNV. Check out the post and the Web page address.
rock and ROLL
Paul
|
