🚀 go-pugleaf

Here is a press release from the Virginia Department of
Game and Inland Fisheries. I downloaded the press release
from the PR On-Line BBS in Maryland at 410-363-0834.
I do not work for the Virginia state government.

 Avian Cholera Outbreak Killing Bay Waterfowl

 Contact: Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries,
          804-367-1000

   RICHMOND, Feb. 24  -- The Virginia Department of Game
and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) announced today that a large
scale waterfowl die-off in Chesapeake Bay is now in progress.
   Dead and dying ducks were first noted in Maryland waters
on Feb. 20. Large numbers were reported along the Calvert County,
Maryland shore the next day.  Several thousand ducks seem to
have been affected.  Most of the mortality is occurring in oldsquaws
and scoters although carcasses of buffleheads, goldeneye,
canvasbacks, gulls, loons and swans have also been found.
   Specimens were examined by the Maryland Department of
Agriculture's Animal Health Laboratory in Salisbury on Feb. 22.
The cause of the mortality was confirmed as avian cholera on
Feb. 24.  Birds are currently being picked up by DNR personnel
in Maryland and five crews from DGIF working in Northumberland
County north of the Rappahannock River in Virginia.
   Avian cholera is a highly infectious disease caused by the
bacterium Pasteurella multocida.  The disease spreads rapidly
through waterfowl and other migratory bird populations.  Acute
infections are common and can result in death in six to 12
hours after exposure.  Transmission can occur from bird-to-bird
contact and from ingestion of contaminated food or water.
   As with most waterfowl diseases there is no effective treatment.
Rigorous collection and incineration of carcasses by trained
personnel is critical to minimize the spread of the disease.
Persons seeing dead or dying ducks in this area of Chesapeake Bay
should not attempt to collect the ducks or otherwise handle them.
They should immediately report sightings of these ducks to the
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries' Williamsburg office, 804-
253-4180 or 253-4181.

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