Unfortunately, by the time it is possible to catch a sick bird for treatment, it is likely to be too ill to help. Treating sick birds without first capturing them is not advisable because there is no way of ensuring that medicines will be taken only by affected birds or in the correct doses.

This means that it is far better to take preventative action to stop an outbreak occurring in the first place. It is thought that some birds probably act as carriers of the sorts of diseases seen and, when they congregate at bird tables and feeders, any food provided may become contaminated.