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Publication Date

6-1-2003

Abstract

Avian cholera, caused by the bacterium Pasteurella multocida, is one of the most important diseases affecting North American waterfowl. Two competing hypotheses have been proposed to explain the recurrence of avian cholera outbreaks: 1) P. multocida persists in specific wetlands year-round, and 2) carriers reintroduce the disease as migratory birds congregate on staging and wintering areas. To date, evidence gathered by the National Wildlife Health Center suggests that wetlands are not a likely reservoir for avian cholera. Our objective was to determine if wintering Lesser Snow Geese (Chen c. caerulescens) are carriers of P. multocida and determine where this bacteria resides in apparently healthy birds. Snow geese (n 266) and Ross’ Geese (n 55; Chen rossii) were collected in January-March of 2001 and 2002 from the Playa Lakes Region of Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Swab samples and blood samples were taken from each goose. Samples were processed at the National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin. P. multocida were isolated from cultures of swab samples obtained from 4 snow geese and 1 Ross’ goose collected in Texas and Colorado. Additionally, non-pathogenic strains of P. multocida were isolated from 1 snow goose collected in Texas and 1 collected in Kansas. Estimated prevalence of carriers is approximately 1.5% in snow geese and 1.8% in Ross’ geese. Although the prevalence was low, results confirmed that apparently healthy geese can be carriers of avian cholera and can transmit the bacterium to other birds.

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