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Much like last year, there have been large numbers of reports of dead blackbirds, the majority of which are thought to be infected with Usutu virus.

Raccoons (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and raccoon dogs (Procyon lotor) in Europe are growing in number and increasing their range. Both species can carry pathogens that can cause disease in humans.

In the wake of the 2016 Usutu virus outbreak, surveillance of live and dead blackbird numbers in April of 2017 revealed that the virus is once again active in the Netherlands.This was paralleled by a slight increase in the number of dead blackbirds reported to the DWHC compared to the preceding weeks. According to

What is it? The Usutu virus originated in Africa and is named after the Usutu river in Swaziland. It can cause disease in birds and is transmitted by midges. The virus rarely causes disease in humans.

In the first half of 2017 six weasels were submitted to the DWHC for post-mortem exam. All six animals died of trauma. Skin perforations suggestive of predation were seen in three cases, two of which also had pneumonia. It is possible that this illness had weakened the weasels thereby making them more vulnerable

At the beginning of June 2017 a roebuck in the province of Utrecht was spotted behaving oddly; the animal showed no flight response and stood still rather than fleeing when approached. The animal was euthanised by a nature warden and submitted to the DWHC for post-mortem exam.

In the autumn of 2016 the Usutu virus was responsible for the death of large numbers of blackbirds as well as captive Snowy owls and Lapland owls. The last Usutu virus activity was recorded that November.

The greenfinch and other species of finch were the focus species of the Dutch Wildlife Health Centre DWHC in 2016. These species were chosen in order to shed light on the presence of trichomonas infection in greenfinches and other finch sorts in the Netherlands.

In March 2017, tularemia was detected in the carcases of two hares found dead in the Kromme Rijn region of Utrecht province that were submitted to the DWHC for post-mortem exam.

Help mee en meld een dode wasbeerhond of wasbeer. De wasbeerhond en de wasbeer worden in Nederland in het oostelijke grensgebied steeds vaker waargenomen. Beide dieren kunnen ziekteverwekkers bij zich dragen die een risico kunnen vormen voor de gezondheid van mensen.