Bird disease has killed hundreds of Geese, Duck

 Dead Birds :  An outbreak of avian botulism has claimed at least 691 Canada geese and 173 ducks on a pond in the southwestern corner of Suffolk. More birds will likely die.  Suffolk- The worst local avian botulism outbreak in recent history has killed at least 864 waterfowl on an International Paper pond in the southwestern corner of Suffolk and will likely kill more birds, a state biologist says.  The outbreak, roughly a month old, has claimed at least 691 Canada geese and 173 ducks, Glen Askins, regional wildlife biologist with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, said Thursday.  International Paper has voluntarily picked up the carcasses to try to limit the outbreak, which is a naturally occurring phenomenon and unrelated to the company’s operation’s, Askins said.  “If there’s a culprit in all this, it’s Mother Nature,” he said.

 International Paper workers discovered stricken birds on June 27, he said, and tests confirmed cases of avian botulism. Humans are not at risk, Askins said.  The affected man-made private pond has 61/2 miles of shoreline and covers 1,600 acres, he said.  International Paper has hired contractors to collect carcasses and is reporting the numbers of dead birds to the state, Askins said.  The number of stricken birds recovered each day has declined to as few as five, said Desmond Stills Sr., communications manager for International Paper.  Still, Askins said, “The outbreak continues.”   The botulism bacteria occur naturally. It can flourish when hot weather and low rainfall coincide, Askins said.

When algae blooms form in shallow ponds during hot weather, oxygen is depleted, and the algae dies and sinks. The bacteria flourish in an oxygen-free environment with organic matter present, Askins said.  Low oxygen can also cause fish kills. Birds that feed on maggots on fish carcasses can die from ingesting a toxin that is a byproduct of the bacteria, Askins said.  Just a few maggots can be lethal to waterfowl, he said.  The outbreak may persist until heavy rainfall replenishes oxygen in the pond, Askins said. “It’s a frustrating situation.”