Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
A review of viruses affecting raptors.
- Journal:
- The Veterinary record
- Year:
- 1997
- Authors:
- Forbes, N A & Simpson, G N
- Affiliation:
- Clockhouse Veterinary Hospital
- Species:
- bird
Plain-English summary
Recently, there have been more cases of viral diseases in raptors, which are birds of prey like eagles and hawks. Feeding these birds food from other birds can expose them to various viruses that might not harm the original host but can be dangerous when they infect a different species. Factors like stress or inbreeding can weaken their immune systems, making them more vulnerable to these diseases. The authors suggest that the way we feed raptors might need to be reconsidered to help reduce the risk of these viral infections. Overall, the paper highlights the importance of understanding and addressing these health risks in raptors.
Abstract
Outbreaks of viral diseases have been diagnosed more commonly in raptors in recent years. The practice of feeding carnivorous birds with food derived from other birds exposes them directly to a wide range of potential pathogens. Some viruses which are avirulent in their natural host are known to be more pathogenic when they cross the species barrier. Compromised immunity due to stress or inbreeding may further increase the disease risk. Traditional feeding methods may need to be re-appraised and changed in view of this risk. This paper reviews the literature on viral diseases of raptors and provides additional clinicopathological observations from unpublished cases.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9342087/