Deadly Diseases May Move Up Hawaiian Mountains to Birds’ Refuges
As climate change causes temperatures to increase in Hawaii’s
mountains, deadly non-native bird diseases will likely also
creep up the mountains, invading most of the last disease-free
refuges for honeycreepers – a group of endangered and remarkable
birds. A just-published U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) review
discusses the likelihood of a forthcoming “disease invasion” by
examining the present altitudinal range of avian malaria and
pox, honeycreeper distribution, and the future projected range
of diseases and honeycreeper habitat with climate change. At one
time, the Hawaiian Islands had no mosquitoes – and no mosquito-
borne diseases. But, by the late 1800s, mosquitoes had set up
permanent housekeeping, setting the stage for epidemic
transmission of avian malaria and pox. Honeycreepers – just like
people faced with novel viruses such as swine flu – had no
natural resistance against these diseases. Before long, Hawaii’s
native honeycreepers signi