Pigeon Malaria (Pseudomalaria)

[Skull Lofts]

Hi all

 

Do anyone know about this, is it a concern in the UK?

 

Skull

[Guest IB]

I thought it unknown in UK, but as climate changes, who knows?

 

There may even have been a single loft case in our club a few years ago. I say 'may' because the fancier has never really got to the bottom of his problem. He had first suspected poisoning from heavy metals in his domestic water supply, his family drank only bottled water, his birds always appeared 'terrified' of the water in the drinker. But he had the water analysed and nothing like that was found in it.

 

Years passed, various tests, including a bird sent for autopsy, result was that it had supposedly 'starved to death'. Fancier and club mates visiting were aware of being 'bitten' when inside the loft, summer months was worst. Later result from a different lab and different test was 'possible' pseudomalaria. Various samples of 'midge' (Scottish mosquito / biting fly) trapped in and around loft were sent for identification, 3 of the species were said to be capable of transmitting pseudomalaria. Fancier has been unable to race for several years. He was also told there has been confirmed cases in Southern Ireland. That was also a couple of years back, but I can't confirm that there was.

[soapy]

                     midges is not the scottish mosquito , we got mosqito,s  in scotland , not the same strain as you yours are sub sahara mosquito,s

[Chris Nagle]

Pseudomalaria (Haemoproteus) confirmed in my loft in 2008.

[Guest Freebird]

                     midges is not the scottish mosquito , we got mosqito,s  in scotland , not the same strain as you yours are sub sahara mosquito,s

Correct and they are a pain in the butt. About 5mm long and you don't feel the "bite" until a few hours later and it comes up in a big really itchy lump. We got them in Bothkennar on the banks of the river Forth and I had never (knowingly) came accross them till I moved here. Do you know much about them? It's that bad here that I have one of those Mosquito magnets and it certainly catches hundreds of a night.

 

 

[PATTY BHOY]

What should a fancier know about Pigeon Malaria?

 

Pigeon Malaria is caused by a protozoan which attacks the red blood cells of our birds. It is primarily carried by the pigeon fly which acts as the immediate host. As many as one-third of flocks tested have shown malaria.

 

Symptoms of Malaria are vague. Except for some loss of gloss in plumage and reduced performance in racing events, there are no readily visible symptoms.

 

To prevent Malaria, pigeon flies must be controlled, because they are the primary carriers of the disease. Quarantining newly acquired birds, dusting or dipping birds after they have mingled with others, and eliminating contact with wild pigeons are vital steps, because curing this disease is very difficult.

 

[Skull Lofts]

What should a fancier know about Pigeon Malaria?

 

Pigeon Malaria is caused by a protozoan which attacks the red blood cells of our birds. It is primarily carried by the pigeon fly which acts as the immediate host. As many as one-third of flocks tested have shown malaria.

 

Symptoms of Malaria are vague. Except for some loss of gloss in plumage and reduced performance in racing events, there are no readily visible symptoms.

 

To prevent Malaria, pigeon flies must be controlled, because they are the primary carriers of the disease. Quarantining newly acquired birds, dusting or dipping birds after they have mingled with others, and eliminating contact with wild pigeons are vital steps, because curing this disease is very difficult.

100% right!

 

Skull