(e) = estimate, ** Cessation date estimated, *** Mortality estimate not available at this time, "suspect" = Diagnosis is not finalized, but field signs and historic patterns indicate the disease.

California Fish & Game (CFG), Cornell University (COR), Florida Fish & Game (FL), Maryland Diagnostic Laboratory (MD), Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MI), New Jersey Department of Fish & Game (NJ), New Mexico Veterinary Diagnostic Services (NMV), No Diagnostics Pursued (NON), USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NW), NY State Department, DEC, Division of Fish, Wildlife & Marine Resources (NY), Other (OT), Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SCW), Dan Diego County Veterinary Diagnostic Lab (SDC), Various State Labsites (ST), UC Davis (UCD), University of Connecticut Wildlife Laboratory (UCT), Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory (WY).

Quarterly Mortality Reports

Outbreaks of Avian Cholera in the Central Flyway (NM, KS, NE)
Incidents of avian cholera have not occurred in the Central Flyway in recent years, but three separate events occurred in early 2008. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico reported the worst outbreak of avian cholera in refuge history. The die-off began in December and subsided in early March with the death of an estimated 7000 birds. The majority of losses were reported in lesser snow geese, but Ross’ geese, multiple duck species, American coots, and sandhill cranes were also affected. Minor cholera outbreaks occur yearly, but the last large scale events were in 1999-2000 and 2000-2001.   In addition to the NM outbreak, avian cholera was found in the Rainwater Basin refuges in southcentral Nebraska and Lake McKinney in west Kansas with mortality estimates of 300 and 550 waterfowl, respectively. Avian cholera had not been reported in Kansas since 1998. The Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District comprises 60 different waterfowl production areas: Hultine, Gleason, and Lindau WPA were confirmed to be affected by avian cholera.

Tundra Swan Mortality from Avian Cholera in the Lower Klamath Area (CA)
Avain cholera mortality began in northern California at the end of January 2008 at Lower Klamath and Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuges followed by mortality at Butte Valley WA in mid February. USFWS Refuge staff collected 1194 Tundra swans and 1164 northern pintails on Lower Klamath NWR with more than 410 birds collected from Tule Lake NWR. CA Dept of Fish & Game staff collected 709 birds and estimated the mortality at Butte Valley WA to be 10,000. Snow geese, ruddy ducks, American wigeon, and American coots were some of the other species affected. Scavenging activity by bald eagles likely reduced the number of carcasses reported. Occasional bald eagles were confirmed to be affected by avian cholera over the past two years in this area. Tundra swan mortality due to avian cholera had not been reported since 1999, but annual swan mortality from lead poisoning continues in this area.

Unusual mortality in Red-tailed Hawks from Chlamydiosis (CA)
Mortality investigations by San Diego County veterinarians and CA Dept of Fish & Game have confirmed Chlamydiophila bacteria in red-tailed hawks in southern California coastal counties. The first reports of sick hawks came in mid-January from wildlife rehabilitators in San Diego County of birds that were emaciated and not responding to treatment. Chlamydiosis also is known as Parrot fever, psittacosis, and ornithosis. It is not commonly reported in raptors. The infectious bacteria can be spread by fluids and excreta, particularly when materials dry and the bacteria become airborne. Chlamydiosis can be a serious human health concern and should be mentioned to a treating physician by anyone that handles infected birds.

Elk mortality from lichen poisoning in Red Rim area of Wyoming (WY)
Nearly 80 elk found sick and unable to stand were euthanized in the Red Rim area near Rawlins spring 2008. Elk were thought to have eaten a lichen, Xanthoparmelia chlorochroa, that produces a toxic metabolite. Affected elk initially produce red urine. Severely afflicted animals are alert, but not able to stand prior to death. The first reported occurrence of lichen poisoning of this type was an event in 2004 that killed more than 400 elk. Both 2004 and 2008 were particularly harsh winters that may have contributed to elk searching out new sources of forage. Researchers with Wyoming Game and Fish and University of Wyoming have examined the incidents. 

Enteritis in American crows USA (multiple states)
Since late December 2007, deaths among American crows associated with a reovirus-like virus have been observed in five states: New York, Massachusetts, Iowa, Ohio, and New Jersey. Low mortality in crows with enteritis and isolation of reo-like viruses has been diagnosed at the NWHC nearly annually since 2001. Other states with a history of crow enteritis mortality include KY, MD, WA, WI, KS, PA, MO and the District of Columbia. Although pathogenicity tests have not yet been performed, it is speculated that the virus replicates in the intestines, and is transmitted through the feces. The disease seems more common at winter roost sites, although it has also been seen sporadically in summer and fall.

Bat white-nosed syndrome in the northeastern USA (NY, VT, MA, and CT)
White-nose syndrome (WNS) among bats reappeared in the eastern states this winter after first being reported in caves near Albany, NY in February 2007 by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Since March 2008, biologists and cavers have documented deaths of thousands of bats of various species at over 25 caves and mines in New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Little brown bats have sustained the highest mortality. Although mortality has not been seen in the endangered Indiana bats, they are being watched closely. WNS also was observed in West Virginia and Pennsylvania without associated mortality. While the “white-nose” describes various fungi seen on the muzzles (also limbs and tail webs) of some bats, the predominant finding among affected animals has been emaciation. Fungal growth may be secondary to the underlying cause of death. Diagnostic investigations are continuing at labs at New York Department of Conservation, Cornell University, USGS-National Wildlife Health Center, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom., Bay Lake FL .