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AugustWolf22 OP t1_iu4ywvz wrote

apologies for the stupid headline they went with, this disease is Very serious however, so all fellow UK redditors please keep an eye out for sick birds.

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indoninja t1_iu50f3d wrote

I’ve been waiting for this zombie/birds crossover…

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pegothejerk t1_iu50ghg wrote

FYI: until a vector of spread is discovered, all those in suspected affected regions or near them should take down all bird feeding stations, empty bird baths and cease all feeding activities at home and public to avoid encouraging birds to gather and spread it more.

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briefbriefs t1_iu50tvw wrote

I don’t want to sign up to read the article. Can anyone post it?

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mrshatnertoyou t1_iu51jra wrote

>Pigeons have become a target of a terrible disease called the Pigeon Paramyxovirus (PPMV) or Newcastle's Disease in the UK. It results in neurological symptoms, including trembling wings and a violently twisted neck. The affected pigeons become reluctant to move and can't fly. They also have green feces. The disease is fatal for pigeons.

>A JSPCA Animal Shelter spokesperson reported that the shelter had increased the number of grounded pigeons in the last few weeks. Many affected birds had neurological symptoms, such as a twisted neck, circling, or inability to stand. The spokesperson added that these symptoms are signs of pigeon paramyxovirus that affects poultry, doves and pigeons and is invariably fatal.

>PPMV is a notifiable disease in captive birds. It does not apply to wild birds. The affected birds die within a few days, and there is no treatment for the disease. PPMV is highly infectious and can spread through feces and other excretions of the affected birds. Surviving birds will shed the virus, becoming a risk to other birds. So, at JSPCA, the infected birds are humanely euthanised. Since the PPMV virus survives better in cold and wet months, the disease's clusters are usually found at this time of the year.

>FAQs

>Does the Pigeon Paramyxovirus (PPMV) or Newcastle's Disease affect only pigeons?

>PPMV affects doves, pigeons and poultry.

>Is PPMV highly infectious?

>PPMV is highly infectious, spreading through the affected bird's feces and other secretions.

From another article not behind a wall.

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chiefkiefnobeef t1_iu51mck wrote

Birds infected with the virus will usually die within a few days but this is long enough for it to keep spreading between birds

Pigeons who fall ill with pigeon paramyxovirus, a disease also known as PPMV or Newcastle’s Disease, will experience a range of neurological symptoms, such as a violently twisted neck and trembling wings.

They also dramatically lose weight, have green droppings, walk in circles (often meaning they can’t fly), and are reluctant to move.

While the disease cannot affect humans, it can cause conjunctivitis in those handling the sick birds and so caution is advised.

The condition and its alarming symptoms have caused people to call infected birds ‘zombie pigeons’. Here’s what you need to know about the disease.

Are there zombie pigeons in the UK? It has so far affected populations on Jersey, where some birds have had to be euthanised.

There haven’t been recorded cases on the mainland yet, and officials in Jersey are putting down birds in the hopes of preventing the spread of the disease any further.

What steps are being taken to combat zombie pigeons? The government has released advice to those who own or handle pigeons, recommending: “Vaccinating your pigeons against the disease – talk to your vet for advice [if you run pigeons shows or races, you must ensure any bird taking part has been vaccinated] and practising strict biosecurity on your premises.”

JSPCA Animal Shelter on the island of Jersey in the Channel Islands has been leading attempts to contain the disease, telling the Mirror that the illness has no treatment “and many birds die within a few days”.

“Any that do survive will continue to shed the virus and be a risk to other birds,” a spokesperson added. “At the JSPCA, affected birds are humanely euthanased.”

The disease is extremely infectious among birds, spreading through droppings and other bodily fluids. It’s especially common at this time of year, as the virus can survive longer in the wetter, colder months.

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Larkshade t1_iu52hjv wrote

I didn’t know 28 days later was a documentary.

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Robbotlove t1_iu52z95 wrote

Replying to pegothejerk (#289,035)

I dunno man. between climate change destruction, the ever wider and wider wealth disparity between the ruling corporate class and the rest of us and this zombie bird virus, I think maybe we'd have a better chance of survival with a zombie apocalypse.

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Soliae t1_iu53jrs wrote

This isn't a freaking mystery, it's Newcastle's, which has been around for quite some time. Chickens can get it, too.

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LordFluffy t1_iu54l2h wrote

Zombie Pigeons.

Who's got Bingo?

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oceansblue1984 t1_iu56dsq wrote

I'm all for a zombie apocalypse this world is skipping to my loo right off a cliff

0

BroadAbroad t1_iu56qlk wrote

Replying to chiefkiefnobeef (#289,243)

Poor things. I have a soft spot for pigeons as a parrot owner. Pigeons are sweet and gentle and have done so much for humans and we just abandoned them. I've always said if I get another bird, it'll be a pigeon.

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Rich_Hedberg t1_iu58aek wrote

Replying to Stephanreggae (#289,788)

"It's perfect Charles, they eat anything. They don't think for themselves. There's no way they'll unionize. You need to stop looking at this as an apocalypse and start looking at it as a business opportunity. You're never going to get Senior Director with that attitude."

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Zeniphyre t1_iu58ndx wrote

Summary for people who do not want to make an account?

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Hyth4n t1_iu5a1g5 wrote

I'm sorry, Earth is closed today.

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jippyzippylippy t1_iu5aopb wrote

Then it jumps to humans and we're suddenly "Walking Dead: The Reality Version".

0

Few-Evidence-7534 t1_iu5c2ye wrote

I got a letter today from DEFRA saying I live inside of, or in the direct vicinity of, an avian flu outbreak, so uhhhhhh... Combine that with this headline and I suppose i'll let you guys know when it jumps to humans lol.

...Although with some of the country bumpkins around here it may be hard to tell if they're infected or just left the pub.

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t4ct1c4l_j0k3r t1_iu5d4zb wrote

Replying to pegothejerk (#290,424)

In an environment where a species is contained (ex: poultry farm), segregation of species is possible. In the wild, all bets are off. If one bird sees another feeding, it will approach, and another, and so forth. Same with water.

Now if you keep domesticated pigeons and you also set out food/water for your flock and wild birds to intermingle, it's a bit different. It seems that this is the only place where this could have an impact on spread, but only for each flock in question.

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pegothejerk t1_iu5e25x wrote

Replying to t4ct1c4l_j0k3r (#291,389)

The advice is to not add to the free roaming bird population yet another social space to gather, as birds by nature stay in fairly isolated groups, but will co-mingle outside their flocks with even other species when food sources are extraordinary rich compared to those they’re used to otherwise in more natural settings. This isn’t a new idea, it’s well established and accepted by experts. Don’t add to the problem. Birds don’t just go around greeting every bird in their city/state.

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TehJohnny t1_iu5f7oj wrote

Finally, the global reset is starting.

0

AugustWolf22 OP t1_iu5kdii wrote

Replying to Zeniphyre (#290,521)

An outbreak of a horrible and fatal disease that causes pigeons and other birds to violently and involuntarily spasm and fit has recently been reported on Guernsey and Jersey. there are fears that the disease could reach the rest of the UK. the virus that causes the disease is called: Pigeon Paramyxovirus (PPMV)

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ci_newman t1_iu5ksnk wrote

What an utterly s**t headline and header photo.

"There's been no reports of illness on mainland UK, just a few birds seen in Jersey". So no, it hasn't been seen in London despite the picture.

There's also a greater chance of it passing and spreading across mainland Europe than in the UK - go check a map.

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ph30nix01 t1_iu5npbf wrote

Let's hope this doesn't get to our chicken populations

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theHip t1_iu5t9bs wrote

It’s a disease that kills pigeons - what is the relations to zombies?

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1stFunestist t1_iu5us21 wrote

Now we just need to reach the Pub, order a pint and wait untill all of this nonsense blows over.

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snapper1971 t1_iu5ux73 wrote

It's not fatal as in systematic failure but more it makes them vulnerable to predation. Pigeons with PPMV1 (pigeon paramyxovirus-1) will make a full recovery. It is not transmissible to humans although hygiene is necessary if handling infected birds (or just birds in general ya dirty mingers)

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Maruff1 t1_iu5y80e wrote

LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! I'm ready for this shit to be over!!!

−1

Fizzicyst t1_iu60lsf wrote

I initially thought 'Zombie Pidgeon' was a new moniker for the Tories.

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red_sutter t1_iu60qzu wrote

Might want to avoid taking the train for a few days, y'all

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Lukeds t1_iu64brt wrote

Replying to Morsigil (#292,355)

I mean they don't in context but they do in your comment. Birds that have caught the disease but HAVE NOT died aka "surviving birds" spread the disease. Then they will die eventually.

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jschubart t1_iu67tc1 wrote

They are already drones.

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Johnisfaster t1_iu6lesw wrote

How does “the pigeon will get sick and then die” = zombies?

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gromnirit t1_iu6ly9l wrote

And so the Zombie Apocalypse begins.

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hellzkeeper1216 t1_iu6oqbw wrote

I guess they used cheap batteries in these during the lock downs. Should have used Duracell.

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Ok-Software-1902 t1_iu6r1q3 wrote

This is just fear-mongering about Newcastle’s disease.

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randomnighmare t1_iu6vhpg wrote

Is this some kind of avian prion disease? Or is this something new and in terms of talking about "zombies", are we talking about the hyper strong/fast kind or the slow rotting kind that is easier to avoid?

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dedzip t1_iu783ph wrote

“This is not the t virus”

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AramaicDesigns t1_iu7c263 wrote

It's not a mystery. The article says it's paramyxovirus. Newcastles.

This is well-known to pigeon fanciers, and many flocks are vaccinated against it.

Doesn't help too much with ferals, though. It will chew through them occasionally, and the next generation is stronger against it.

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AramaicDesigns t1_iu7cfp4 wrote

Replying to AugustWolf22 (#292,704)

Which is very well known, its vector of transmission is understood, and if you have pet birds, there is a vaccine against it that most pigeon fanciers inoculate their flocks with to begin with.

This is nothing special.

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SuperSimpleSam t1_iu7guc1 wrote

Finally something bad in UK that can't be blamed on BREXIT.

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[deleted] t1_iu8ehmp wrote

The Game of Shadows have begun my dear Watson

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buddyravage t1_iu8fni7 wrote

Pigeons seem like braindead birds anyway, how can we tell if one is infected?

1