Western Ecological Research Center
Wild Birds and Emerging Diseases: Avian Influenza Transmission Risk and Movements of Wild Birds from Kazakhstan | ||
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The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has been working in partnership with the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO),
the Wildlife Conservation Society Global Avian Influenza Network for Surveillance (WCS-GAINS) and Wetlands International (WI) to study the
role of wild birds in the geographic spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1. In September 2007, we partnered with the
Institute of Zoology of the National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan for a study at Kyzykol ("Red Lake") in southern Kazakhstan. Our
aim was to capture and test wild waterbirds for the presence of avian influenza virus and fit 10 ducks with satellite transmitters in
order to track their movements during the autumn migration period.
During our mission to Kazakhstan we deployed satellite transmitters on 7 Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), 2 Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea), and 1 Gadwall (Anas strepera). The birds were captured using mist nets, catching individuals during dawn and dusk flights. USGS scientists from the Western Ecological Research Center and Alaska Science Center will monitor the satellite movement data to better understand migration chronology, routes, and potential risk factors associated with the spread of HPAI H5N1. Follow the links on the menu bar for details on projects and to see migration maps for different species. |
U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://werc.wr.usgs.gov/sattrack/kazakhstan/kazindex.html
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Page Last Modified: September 16, 2008
