Avian botulism type E in waterbirds of Lake Michigan, 2010-2013
Description
During 2010 to 2013, waterbird mortality surveillance programs used a shared protocol for shoreline walking surveys performed June to November at three areas in northern Lake Michigan. In 2010 and 2012, 1244 total carcasses (0.8 dead bird/km walked) and 2399 total carcasses (1.2 dead birds/km walked), respectively, were detected. Fewer carcasses were detected in 2011 (353 total carcasses, 0.2 dead bird/km walked) and 2013 (451 total carcasses, 0.3 dead bird/km walked). During 3 years, peak detection of carcasses occurred in October and involved primarily migratory diving and fish-eating birds, including long-tailed ducks (Clangula hyemalis; 2010), common loons (Gavia immer; 2012), and red-breasted mergansers (Mergus serrator; 2013). In 2011, peak detection of carcasses occurred in August and consisted primarily of summer residents such as gulls (Larus spp.) and double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus). A subset of fresh carcasses was collected throughout each year of the study and tested for botulinum neurotoxin type E (Botulinum neurotoxin type E ). Sixty-one percent of carcasses (57/94) and 10 of 11 species collected throughout the sampling season tested positive for Botulinum neurotoxin type E , suggesting avian botulism type E was a major cause of death for both resident and migratory birds in Lake Michigan. The variety of avian species affected by botulism type E throughout the summer and fall during all 4 years of coordinated surveillance also suggests multiple routes for bird exposure to Botulinum neurotoxin type E in Lake Michigan.
Resources
| Name |
Format |
Description |
Link |
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55 |
The metadata original format |
https://data.usgs.gov/datacatalog/metadata/USGS.5633bfb9e4b048076347f028.xml |
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55 |
Landing page for access to the data |
https://doi.org/10.5066/F7GX48NM |
Tags
- disease
- surveillance
- clostridium-botulinum
- avian-botulism
- wildlife-health
- usgs-5633bfb9e4b048076347f028
- volunteer