Disease: Suttonella ornithocola

The general information is from Suttonella ornithocola infection in Garden Birds. Garden Wildlife Health, April 2020.

Pathogen

Suttonella ornithocola is a recently discovered bacterium in the family Cardiobacteriaceae.

Susceptible species

Suttonella ornithocola infection has been most commonly observed in blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus); however, other birds within the tit families (Paridae and Aegithalidae) are also susceptible to infection, such as coal tit (Periparus ater), long-tailed tit (Aegithalos caudatus) and great tit (Parus major). Suttonella ornithocola infection has not yet been diagnosed in the other groups of British garden bird species.

Signs in animals

Birds affected by S. ornithocola infection tend to show non-specific signs of ill health, for example lethargy and fluffed-up plumage. In addition, they may show breathing difficulties such as gasping. Wild birds suffering from a variety of conditions can exhibit similar signs of disease and there are no characteristic signs of S. ornithocola infection that allow it to be diagnosed without specialist veterinary examination. Affected birds are often thin, indicating that the disease may progress over the course of several days.

Pathology

Suttonella ornithocola causes lung disease in affected tits. Microscopic examination of lung tissues typically reveals a “pneumonia-like” condition associated with S. ornithocola infection. However, this bacterium has been isolated from several organs, suggesting a widespread or systemic infection can occur.

Infection of animals

Relatively little is known about S. ornithocola in British tit species. Since the bacterium causes a lung infection, aerosol or air-borne infection (i.e. cloud or mist of infectious agent released by coughing or sneezing) is thought to be the most likely route of transmission between birds. The length of time that S. ornithocola can survive in the environment, and whether this is important in the disease transmission, is unknown.

Since blue tits are involved in the majority of S. ornithocola mortality incidents to date, it has been suggested that this species may play an important or key role in the disease life-cycle.

Symptoms in people

Whilst S. ornithocola was first isolated in 1996, it was not fully identified as a novel bacterium until 2005; therefore, relatively little is known about the bacterium and the range of species which can be infected. Nevertheless, there are no known reports of infection with this bacterium in humans or any mammal. To date, only birds within the tit family in Britain have been confirmed with the infection; the extent to which other bird species may be susceptible is unknown.

Geographical distribution

In the spring of 1996, eleven mortality incidents involving a range of tit species were reported with a wide distribution across England and Wales. Blue tits were most frequently affected but signs of ill health were also observed in long-tailed tit, coal tit and great tit. The number of affected birds varied in each incident (between one and ten) therefore localised disease outbreaks affecting multiple birds can occur. Suttonella ornithocola was isolated from birds from multiple sites; this was the first time the bacterium had been seen; therefore, it was considered a new and perhaps emerging disease of British wild birds.

Surveillance since 2005 has identified a small number of S. ornithocola infection incidents (ranging from none to two per year) which have occurred with a widespread distribution across Great Britain. Blue tits remain the species most commonly affected and outbreaks typically occur in spring. These findings suggest that S. ornithocola infection is well-established (i.e. endemic) in the British tit population.

Suttonella ornithocola infection was confirmed for the first time in South and Central Finland in spring 2017: three incidents involving blue tit and coal tit mortality were reported. The following year, in April 2018, S. ornithocola-associated mortality of tits was described for the first time in Germany: four tit mortality incidents were investigated in southern North Rhine-Westphalia, again with blue tits, coal tits and great tits affected.

In spring 2020, an epidemic primarily involving blue tits was reported in northwestern Germany: over 20,000 suspicious reports of sick and dead tits were received by NABU (The Nature And Biodiversity Conservation Union), the national ornithological organisation in Germany, that year. Recurrent seasonal mortality of tit species occurred to a lesser extent in 2021 but has not been observed in more recent years. Population monitoring data of blue tit indicated a regional population decline in areas of greatest disease occurrence, raising the possibility that this reduction was caused by the disease outbreak, however, other factors may also have contributed.

Preventative measures

Where a problem with S. ornithocola infection exists, general measures for control of disease in wild bird populations should be adopted:

Ensure optimal hygiene at garden bird feeding stations, including disinfection (as described above).
Ensure that water provided for garden birds is fresh and clean on a daily basis.
Feeding stations (such as bird tables and hanging feeders) encourage birds to congregate, sometimes in large densities, thereby increasing the potential for disease to spread between individuals when outbreaks occur. If many birds in your garden are affected, we recommend that you consider significantly reducing the amount you feed, or stop feeding for a period (2-4 weeks).The reason for this is to encourage birds to disperse, thereby minimising the chances of new birds becoming infected at the feeding station. Gradually reintroduce feeding, whilst continuing to monitor for further signs of ill health

General Hygiene Measures under Normal Circumstances:

Maintain good daily hygiene at feeding sites. Remove uneaten food and droppings before providing new food, and regularly disinfect silos and feeding areas.
Provide birds with clean and fresh drinking water daily.
Use feed from approved/reliable sources.
Move feeding sites around the garden to prevent the buildup of contamination, and especially clean up any food remains that have fallen on the ground.
Clean and disinfect feeding tables, feed silos, and feeding areas regularly. A suitable disinfectant is, for example, a diluted solution of household bleach (5% sodium hypochlorite) or another specialized disinfectant.
After disinfection, always rinse the feeding table thoroughly with water and allow it to dry well before using it again.
Brushes and other cleaning tools used to clean feed silos, tables, and birdbaths should not be used for other purposes and should not be brought indoors. They should be stored and used outside, away from places where (human) food is prepared.
Wear rubber gloves when cleaning, and wash your hands and forearms thoroughly afterwards, especially before eating or drinking. Avoid direct contact with sick or dead birds. For example, use disposable gloves when removing dead birds, or pick up the bird using a plastic bag pulled over your hand.

Research results

No researchresults found.

Projects

No projects found.

Overige berichten

No news found.

Publications

No publications found.