Disease in Waterfowl

Presented by,
Zach Andrews

Bird Diseases
Over 60 diseases (Infecting & Carried) in
birds
- Bacterial, Viral, and Fungal
-Most are treatable
Most common waterfowl diseases
-Avian Botulism
-Avian Cholera
-Duck Plague
-Sarcocystis (Rice Breast)
-Avian Bird Flu

Avian Botulism (Type C)

Cause: Ingestion of toxin
produced by the Bacteria
Clostridium botulinum
Attacks nervous system
causing paralysis and
lack of muscle control.
Can cause death in 24
hours.
1952 over 4 millions
waterfowl were killed
across the western U.S.
(Epizootic)

Avian Cholera (Type 1)

Cause: By Pasteurella multocida
Bacteria. (Similar to Botulism)
Can kill in as little as 6 hours (Avg. 2448 hrs)
Highly contagious (Bird to Bird contact)
Bacteria can stay in soil and water for 4
months.
Epizootic occurred across the U.S. since
1943. (Thousands of deaths daily)

Avian Cholera Outbreak

(Not including Salt Lake)

Duck Plague
Cause: Herpes virus 1
Worldwide disease
Attacks the vascular system, causing
hemorrhaging within 14 days. (Occurs
on face and within the body.)
Birds can no longer fly.
Jan, 1973. Lake Andes National Wildlife
Refuge, SD. 40,000 Mallards and
Canada geese were killed.

Duck Plague Occurrence

Sarcocystis (Rice Breast)

Cause: Ingestion of
Sarcocystis rileyi
eggs (a parasitic
protozoan).
Birds can survive.
Causes loss of
muscle and can
cause infections.
Reptiles and
mammals are
susceptible as well.

Avian Bird Flu (H5N1)

Yes, Birds get the flu too
Cause : Naturally occurring in birds.
Highly contagious, through
secretions.
All birds are susceptible.
Birds can survive For now.

Harmful???
Not Currently

NO

H5N1- Not harmful

now, but can mutate
very quickly.

Botulism (N/A)
Cholera (N/A)
Duck Plague (Vaccine)
Sarcocystis (Can be
treated)

If not closely monitored

then there is a
possibility of an
epizootic or epidemic.

Must be ingested to take

effect.
Can still harvest the meat,
but it must be COOKED
thoroughly.

How are we helping?

Quarantine outbreak area.

Treating what we can.
Best solution is prevention.
Check birds at game stations
Report any strange behavior and
noticeable diseases.

Work Cited
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. USA.gov, 21 Nov. 2010. Web. 8 Dec.
2013. <http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/facts.htm>.
Duck Healt Care. Cornell University, 2008. Web. 8 Dec. 2013.
<http://www.duckhealth.com/duckhlth.html>.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. State of Minnesota, 2013. Web. 8
Dec. 2013. <http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/waterfowl/avian_flu.html>.
Rolfe, Thomas J. Department of Natural Resources. Maryland.gov, 2013. Web. 8
Dec. 2013.
<http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/Hunt_Trap/waterfowl/sarcocystis.asp>.
Waterfowl Diseases. Ducks Unlimited, 2013. Web. 8 Dec. 2013.
<http://www.ducks.org/conservation/waterfowl-biology/understanding-waterfowlwaterfowl-diseases/page2>.