Non-Native Birds Drive Widespread Avian Malaria Transmission in Hawaii

Almost every forest bird in Hawaiʻi is spreading avian malaria

Avian malaria is spreading across Hawaiʻi in a way scientists didn’t fully grasp until now: nearly every forest bird species can help keep the disease alive. Researchers found the parasite at 63 of 64 sites statewide, revealing that both native honeycreepers and introduced birds can quietly pass the infection to mosquitoes—even when carrying only tiny amounts of it. Because infected birds can remain contagious for months or even years, transmiss…

Non-native birds drive widespread avian malaria transmission in Hawaii

New research on avian malaria, which has decimated Hawaii's beloved birds, explains how non-native birds play a key role in transmission and contribute to the widespread distribution of the disease.

New study on avian malaria finds most of Hawaii's birds contribute to deadly pathogen's transmission

Research led by UC Santa Cruz finds that both non-native and native birds play a key role in the transmission of a disease that has contributed to the extinction of over a dozen species of Hawaii's native birds