Skip to content

Raven Herpesvirus Was Suspected in Six Sudden Deaths in Poland

Common raven perched on a log at Bryce Canyon National Park
Research · Disease, parasites & microbiology

Six Common Ravens (Corvus corax) found dead on the same day in central Poland tested positive for both circovirus and a herpesvirus not previously described from ravens. The case report was published on 8 August 2026. The authors strongly suspected the herpesvirus as the main cause of death and considered circovirus a possible contributor.

The birds were in good nutritional condition. Pooled organ samples from all six were positive for both viruses, while a broad panel of other tested viral and bacterial agents was negative. Microscopic examination showed haemorrhage and inflammation in the liver. Liver cells also contained intranuclear inclusion bodies — structures within the cell nuclei — while the kidneys showed inflammation, degeneration and necrosis.

Toxicological screening of pooled samples from five of the six ravens detected low or trace concentrations of brodifacoum, an anticoagulant rodenticide, and pentobarbital, a barbiturate. The other toxicants included in the screening were negative. However, the toxicology panel did not cover every possible substance, and the authors also could not rule out another unidentified virus. The herpesvirus therefore remained the leading suspected cause rather than a confirmed diagnosis.

Sources and image credit

  1. Ledwoń, A., Sapierzyński, R., Dolka, B., Witkowska, D., Gbylik-Sikorska, M., & Sell, B. (2026). Detection of circovirus and herpesvirus co-infection in suddenly dead common ravens (Corvus corax). Veterinary Research Communications, 50, 512. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-026-11453-4Primary peer-reviewed case report. Six common ravens found dead on the same day in central Poland were positive for circovirus and herpesvirus; the authors strongly suspected raven herpesvirus as the primary cause, with possible circovirus involvement.
  2. Ledwoń, A., Sapierzyński, R., Dolka, B., Witkowska, D., Gbylik-Sikorska, M., & Sell, B. (2026). Correction: Detection of circovirus and herpesvirus co-infection in suddenly dead common ravens (Corvus corax). Veterinary Research Communications, 50, 523. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-026-11466-zCorrection notice confirming that the original article was published on 8 August 2026 and correcting the article title.

Image: ImagePerson / Wikimedia Commons — common raven (Corvus corax) photographed at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA, 20 September 2014. Illustrative species image, not one of the birds from the Poland study. · CC BY 4.0 · Source

About this content: This story was produced with AI assistance within an editorial workflow developed by Wildlife Vagabond. Editorial responsibility remains with Wildlife Vagabond.How AI is used

Disease, parasites & microbiology

SPECIES IN THIS STORY

Species in this story

Common Raven Corvus corax Explore species

Independent research and conservation news archive

Did you find this information useful?

Wildlife Vagabond is independently built and maintained. Voluntary support helps cover source verification, hosting and continued work on research and conservation news.

Support Wildlife Vagabond

The news archive will remain freely available.