Avian Pox and Trichomoniasis - removal of feeders

Thought I would throw this one open to discussion and get your views on the subject as its one of these Do I, Don't I situations for many people and thought it helpful to show photos of birds with Avian Pox and Trichomoniasis in case others have sick birds and don't know what these diseases look like as I believe the Avian Pox in Great Tits is heavily on the increase;           

Recently, I have seen one male Chaffinch with Trichomonas disease and as of yesterday saw a 4th Great Tit which showed the classic signs of Avian Pox virus.     I stopped ground feeding 3 weeks ago when I first spotted the Chaffinch with Trichomoniasis but have now removed all hanging feeders for one month although I am putting limited food out for the Jays which is close to the house and only left out whilst it is under watch or whilst photographing the Jays and the smaller birds do not feed off that dish  - only squirrels !  

I would like to hear general thoughts on the matter as I am not convinced that withdrawing feeders helps much if the birds then go to other neighbouring feeding areas which may not be as scrupulously clean as I keep my feeding stations.     Surely the concentration on the next door feeders or local area would be more concentrated and when I observe the Great Tits with Pox they perch in the branches or twigs and wipe their beak and lesions on the wood where another bird will then perch ..... so how can dispersement work unless the whole area withdrew their feeders/stations ?      I was told that if 3 or more birds showed signs of disease then to remove feeders for 3 weeks.      As much as I try to keep the feeders and perches wiped every day and dismantled every three or 4 weeks or sooner if necessary for thorough cleaning,  it would be impossible to prevent transference of these diseases unless you cleaned the perches each time after a bird landed on it.     As a vet told me, you can only minimise the risk as birds will drink from same puddle of water and could pass on the Trichomonas parasite or other sickness and often birds roost in close proximity to one another.     I have around 100-130 birds in this large garden visiting and it seems drastic action to stop feeding the 125 healthy birds especially in the colder months when nights have been below freezing recently and the birds needing more food to keep them sustained.     Although I think I have done the sensible and logical thing of removing all feeders/food as of tonight, (and without doubt all ground dishes/food should be always be removed and areas under feeders kept free of spillage)   it still bugs me that sick birds will now go next door and neighbouring areas where I know for a fact their feeding stations are not so rigorously cleaned, therefore more chance of passing on diseases.      

All views on this subject are welcome and for anyone who is not sure what Avian Pox or Trichomonas looks like then here are some photographs I took recently ...............     can I urge anyone seeing sick birds to please report them to the BTO via this LINK    it helps the BTO keep track on illness/disease and goes into their database.    If you find a dead bird then please consider submitting it for post mortem via the reporting page on the link I have given you.   Always remember to wear disposable gloves and wash your hands thoroughly if handling a sick or dead bird and after cleaning feeders and areas.        

This is what Avian Pox looks like,  it seems to mainly affect the head area but is also found near the wing area, and feet.    

and in Trichomoniasis disease which seems to affect the Finch species in particular you may see birds of fluffed up appearance and acting lethargic, wet looking head or feathers and bits of food stuck around their beak area, these birds find it difficult to swallow as the parasite lives inside the throat of their host,  they can pass on this parasite by spitting out food from their throat which may contain the parasite  although the Trichomonas parasite cannot live outside of a host for longer periods ...    

here is a photo of the male chaffinch who had difficulty swallowing and was trying to cough up  :(  

 Not a pretty sight but its one of these illnesses which you should be on the lookout for in your gardens.     

next pic you can see his head feathers look slightly damp/wet

this male chaffinch didn't have a lot of food stuck around the beak area but you can see slight signs in this next pic   .......