[bcbirdclub] Fw: Fw: Passerine Die-Offs Due to Salmonella
- From: "Roger Mayhorn" <rmayhorn@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "BCBC Listserve" <bcbirdclub@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 17:30:06 -0500
----- Original Message -----
From: Lois Boggs
To: bcbirdclub@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 12:55 PM
Subject: Fw: Passerine Die-Offs Due to Salmonella
Hello,
I thought I would send this out to all of you, as well.
Please read the notes below for important information.
Thanks,
Lois
Wildlife Biologist
Clinch Ranger District
9416 Coeburn Mountain Road
Wise, VA 24293
276-328-2931
just goes to show, it's always somethin'! -Roseanne Roseanna Danna
----- Forwarded by Lois Boggs/R8/USDAFS on 03/03/2009 12:54 PM -----
Hello All,
("Passerines" are songbirds.)
I just received this note, from a biologist from Virginia's Department of Game
and Inland Fisheries.
Please take time to be sure your bird feeders and feed are not the cause of the
spread of any avian diseases, and in this case, salmonella. There is good
information here, and it's easy to follow. Some of these potential diseases
can affect humans as well as birds.
There is also recall information about suet cakes made with peanut meal from,
you guessed it, Peanut Corp of America.
Thanks!
Lois
Wildlife Biologist
Clinch Ranger District
9416 Coeburn Mountain Road
Wise, VA 24293
276-328-2931
just goes to show, it's always somethin'! -Roseanne Roseanna Danna
----- Forwarded by Lois Boggs/R8/USDAFS on 03/03/2009 11:46 AM -----
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Sleeman, Jonathan
Sent: Monday, March 02, 2009 10:25 PM
Subject: Passerine Die-Offs Due to Salmonella
Importance: High
We have received several reports of large die-offs of pine siskins, goldfinches
and other passerines from western Virginia (Rockbridge County and south).
Similar events have also been reported to SCWDS from other southeastern states
including WV, NC, and TN. Necropsy findings of birds from other states
indicate that these die-offs are due to Salmonellosis, and we suspect the
outbreaks in Virginia are also due to Salmonella sp. infections. Salmonellosis
is a bacterial infection that is commonly spread among passerines at bird
feeders. More information can be found at this link:
http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/other_diseases/salmonellosis.jsp.
There has been some discussion among birding groups regarding whether
contaminated bird feed is responsible for these outbreaks. See this link for
more information on the bird feed recall:
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/scotts02_09.html. I am not aware of any
evidence that links this outbreak to any particular bird feed, although
Salmonella is easily spread at bird feeders. Thus, if you receive a report of
a die-off of passerines, please advise the caller to follow the bird feeder
guidelines outlined in the attached handout. Please also advise them to check
to see if any bird feed they are using is on the recall list, and to
discontinue using any recalled feed. Also, advise them to safely dispose of
the birds by placing the carcasses in a plastic bag and disposing of them in
the garbage, or by burial in the ground. Direct contact with any carcasses
should be avoided, and hand washing after handling is advisable. If you
receive reports of die-offs of waterfowl or shorebirds then please contact me
directly as they may need to be tested for AI. Finally, for each reported
event please complete the attached morbidity/mortality form so we can gather
data on the distribution of the outbreaks.
Please forward this information to anyone you feel would be interested, and
please contact me if you have any questions.
Thanks for your assistance.
Best wishes,
Jonathan
Jonathan Sleeman, MA, VetMB, Dipl. ACZM, MRCVS
Wildlife Veterinarian
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
900 Natural Resources Drive, Suite 100
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Tel: 434-295-2803
Fax: 434-295-1519
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- » [bcbirdclub] Fw: Fw: Passerine Die-Offs Due to Salmonella - Roger Mayhorn
