Fish & Game close eye on deadly bird disease

Auckland Waikato Fish & Game is asking landowners and the public to keep an eye on waterfowl on their properties and ponds – for any sign of sick or dead birds.

Southern game bird manager David Klee says they’re on watch for any seasonal outbreaks of avian botulism, which has the potential to kill large numbers of both game birds and threatened native species.

Symptoms include varying degrees of paralysis, sagging heads, drooping wings and flightlessness.

If landowners or members of the public observe birds showing symptoms, they’re asked to contact Auckland Waikato Fish & Game immediately (David Klee 021-300183) for advice on how to deal with the situation.

“It’s imperative that people notify us immediately, so that we can take action to combat an outbreak,” he says.

“It is possible to manage outbreaks of avian botulism – removing dead birds and disposing of them in an appropriate manner is crucial – which is why we’re asking landowners and the public to be vigilant.”

Mr Klee says Fish & Game is actively working with local and territorial authorities to try and ensure they have botulism management plans for waste water treatment plants, where outbreaks have occurred in the past, to minimise the risk of large scale outbreaks.

“We have provided them with all the information they need on how to manage botulism and mitigate its impact.”

Key facts:

What is avian botulism?

It is a serious neuromuscular illness caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Spores can lie dormant for many years in soil and other substrates until favourable environmental conditions leads to an outbreak. It has the potential to kill large numbers of waterfowl.

Is an outbreak common?

Avian botulism outbreaks often occur at wastewater treatment plant sites as these areas provide the perfect conditions for the bacterium which produces the toxin. Outbreaks typically coincide with periods of hot, dry and calm weather from December to March but can occur outside this period.

Is it a threat to human?

Avian botulism is different to the strain of botulism that affects humans.

ENDS

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