Mystery infection causes Pneumonia To Blue Tits

In spring 2020, a remarkable number of blue tits are observed in Germany, which appear sick and die shortly thereafter. Laboratory tests confirm that the bacterium Suttonella ornithocola is responsible, which causes pneumonia in titmice. However, the pathogen is harmless for humans and pets. The first cases became known from March 11 from Rheinhessen in Rhineland-Palatinate and the adjacent regions on the Middle Rhine in Hesse, later followed by clues to Thuringia. In order to record and assess the spread of the disease and its effects on birds, NABU asks for the reporting of sick or dead blue tits and the sending in of samples for examination.

[link to www.nabu.de (secure)]

Birds are dying like crazy from a unknown pneumonia illness in Germany.