Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, Mar 19: In the last week birds like Pigeon, Eagle, Hawk and Crow are dying rampantly at various places in the district of Dakshina Kannada. In certain case of birds which are terrible sick, boils are noticed on the beak and inside the mouth.
The reason for this syndrome is the PAX virus. Generally this virus is noticed in the summer season and its effect subsides as the Monsoon sets in. However, this time around, it seems that the severity of this virus is affecting the birds badly.
The Pigeons, which spend the night in the corners of the roof of flats, houses and shops, are falling down as it dawns as they are not able to fly due to sickness. Most of the incidents are reported from Market, Bunder, PVS and Kadri areas of the city. In the city in a matter of five days 20 cases of sever sickness of birds are reported.
Some birds which are severely sick are being treated at the animal care trust at Shaktinagar in the city. Compared to other birds, Pigeons are the worst hit due to this virus. One Hawk is being treated at Shaktinagar. The doctors say that the virus is spreading rapidly because of the migration of birds from one place to another.
Dr Vasanth Shetty, expert bird doctor, department of animal husbandry of the city, says, "This virus is mostly found in the summer season. It subsides as the Monsoon begins. Boils are notice on the parts of the body of the birds, which are not covered by feathers. If the boils erupt inside the throat and mouth, the birds may die as it will difficult for them to swallow food. In such cases, information needs to be relayed to the department."
According to Dr Vasanth Shetty Pax virus spreads in birds like Chikenpox in human beings. In the medical language, the virus that attacks the human being is called Chickenpox, the one which affects the poultry is called Fowlpox and for Pigeon it is called Pigeonpox. Mostly this virus spreads through air and food.
The chances of the virus spreading from birds to humans is very less. It spreads mainly in birds of the same species like from Pigeon to Pigeon or from Crow to Crow. The virus gets spread from man to man and not from bird to man. Even the poultry will not get the virus from other birds.
If the virus affects the bird, then there is no treatment. It should subside on its own. It is better to take precautions. The birds should be fed with medicine and food, which contains vitamins. People who rear birds inside the house need to take precautions according the information given by doctors.
The place where the birds are kept and the utensils which are used to feed them must be kept clean. If the birds are kept in small enclosures, then the chances of them getting affected by the virus is more. If there are mosquitoes and flies around the area where the birds are kept, they also increase the chances of infection. If Vitamin A is fed to even birds which are not affected with the virus, the chances of it getting the virus will be less.
The bird which is infected with Pax virus should not be held with bare hands. Birds like Hawk and Eagle may peck because of the pain. As a precaution gloves need to be worn while handling sick birds. This information was shared by animal rescuer Tausif Ahmed.