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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Bird deaths outbreak investigated | Bird deaths outbreak investigated |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Hundreds of birds are dying from a parasite that leaves species lethargic and kills them within three weeks. | |
| Birdwatchers and residents have reported dead sparrows, chaffinches and goldfinches, mainly in south west England and the Midlands. | Birdwatchers and residents have reported dead sparrows, chaffinches and goldfinches, mainly in south west England and the Midlands. |
| The parasite, known as trichomoniasis, is not linked to avian flu and poses no risk to humans, experts say. | |
| The Institute of Zoology has begun an investigation into the deaths to try to understand why the disease has emerged. | The Institute of Zoology has begun an investigation into the deaths to try to understand why the disease has emerged. |
| The dramatic increase in the number of finch mortality incidents reported by members of the public is deeply concerning wildlife veterinarian Becki Lawson | The dramatic increase in the number of finch mortality incidents reported by members of the public is deeply concerning wildlife veterinarian Becki Lawson |
| A record finch death rate was identified by the Garden Bird Health initiative - a three year project co-ordinated by the Institute of Zoology, which is part of the Zoological Society of London. | A record finch death rate was identified by the Garden Bird Health initiative - a three year project co-ordinated by the Institute of Zoology, which is part of the Zoological Society of London. |
| Becki Lawson, a wildlife veterinarian from the institute, said: "The dramatic increase in the number of finch mortality incidents reported by members of the public is deeply concerning. | Becki Lawson, a wildlife veterinarian from the institute, said: "The dramatic increase in the number of finch mortality incidents reported by members of the public is deeply concerning. |
| "It is essential that further research is now undertaken so that we can gain a better understanding of the reasons for the disease emergence, and to assess the parasite's impact on our bird populations." | "It is essential that further research is now undertaken so that we can gain a better understanding of the reasons for the disease emergence, and to assess the parasite's impact on our bird populations." |
| The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has also emphasised that bird baths and feeders should be regularly washed and moved around the garden to guard against infection. | The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has also emphasised that bird baths and feeders should be regularly washed and moved around the garden to guard against infection. |
| 'Unusually hot weather' | 'Unusually hot weather' |
| Andre Farrar, spokesman for the RSPB, said: "It is an unusually large outbreak. | Andre Farrar, spokesman for the RSPB, said: "It is an unusually large outbreak. |
| "Trichomoniasis usually affects pigeons and doves, but this summer it seems to have affected finches and house sparrows. | "Trichomoniasis usually affects pigeons and doves, but this summer it seems to have affected finches and house sparrows. |
| "There is no human health risk but, as always, when handling birds people must take care." | "There is no human health risk but, as always, when handling birds people must take care." |
| Mr Farrar added the unusually hot weather in Britain this year could have contributed to the spread of the disease. | Mr Farrar added the unusually hot weather in Britain this year could have contributed to the spread of the disease. |
| A large number of cases have also been reported in Wales. | A large number of cases have also been reported in Wales. |