Budgies 'Wiped Out' by Mystery Disease

Thursday, June 19, 2003

(10:59 GMT) (11:59 UK)

The BBC

"If this disease becomes widespread in the budgerigar population, which is not yet the case, the effects could be serious. "Steps need to be taken to limit the spread of the infection."

BBC
A mysterious virus has killed up to 1,000 budgerigars on Teesside.

It is feared the disease - which has baffled bird specialists - has already spread with unconfirmed reports of the incurable disease in other parts of the UK.

The Budgerigar Society is recommending its members do not take part in competitions and events over concerns it could become more widespread.

It is thought the Teesside outbreak could be linked to an emergence of the disease in other parts of the country at the end of last year which bird experts thought had been contained.

Breeder Gerald Rawlings, 49, from Middlesbrough, lost 228 birds in just 12 days last month.

He said: "I went away for the weekend and when I called my wife on the Sunday she said four had died, which was unusual.

* Serious effects

* 'Real worry'

(More: BBC Online)
2003 © The British Broadcasting Corporation.

Dan