Avian Malaria - Etiology

Etiology

Avian malaria is most notably caused by Plasmodium relictum, a protist that infects birds in tropical regions. There are several other species of Plasmodium that infect birds, such as Plasmodium anasum and Plasmodium gallinaceum, but these are of less importance except, in occasional cases, for the poultry industry. The disease is found worldwide, with important exceptions. Usually, it does not kill birds. However, in areas where avian malaria is newly introduced, such as the islands of Hawaii, it can be devastating to birds that have lost resistance over evolutionary time.