OUTBREAK OF TYPE C BOTULISM IN CAPTIVE WILD BIRDS

• Published in: Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine Vol. 43; no. 2; pp. 388 - 390
• Main Authors: Raymundo, Djeison L, Von Hohendorf, Raquel, Boabaid, Fabiana M, Both, Maria C, Sonne, Luciana, Assis, Ronnie A, Caldas, Rogerio P, Driemeier, David
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Association of Zoo Veterinarians 01-06-2012
• Subjects: Animals; Anseriformes; Aves; Avian botulism; Aviary birds; Biological Assay; Bird Diseases - epidemiology; Bird Diseases - microbiology; black-necked swan; Botulism; Botulism - classification; Botulism - epidemiology; Botulism - veterinary; Brazil - epidemiology; BRIEF COMMUNICATIONS; Cairina moschata; captive wild birds; Clostridium botulinum; Cygnus melancoryphus; Dendrocygna bicolor; Disease outbreaks; Ducks; Larvae; Mice; Swans; Toxins; type C botulism; Waterfowl; Wild birds; Zoos; Brazil
• ISSN: 1042-7260; 1937-2825
• DOI: 10.1638/2010-0084.1

In late summer 2010, an outbreak of type C botulism affected the birds kept in a dam at a southern Brazilian zoo. A total of 14 (10 black-necked swans, Cygnus melancoryphus; 3 Muscovy ducks, Cairina moschata; and 1 fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor) out of 100 birds died after showing flaccid paralysis of the skeletal muscles characterized by general locomotion deficit, flight and swimming disorders, dropped neck, and severe dyspnea. Carcasses of dead birds (some infested by larvae of sarcophagus fly) scattered in the bird enclosure, and oxygen-free, organically rich mud and/or shallow standing waters present at the edges of the weir were identified as possible toxin sources. Postmortem examinations revealed no significant pathological changes. Epidemiologic and clinical findings indicated the diagnosis of type C botulism toxin, which was confirmed by mouse bioassay and seroneutralization.