(e) = estimate, “suspect” = Diagnosis is not finalized, but field signs and historic patterns indicate the disease.

California Animal Health Food Safety Lab Network (CAF), Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FL), Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MI), Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNS), Michigan State University (MSU), North Carolina State Lab (NCA), Ashland National Forensics Laboratory (NFL), No diagnostics pursued (NON), USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NW), NY State Department, DEC, Division of Fish, Wildlife & Marine Resources (NY), Other (OT), Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Lab (PA), Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SCW), UC Davis (UCD), University of Connecticut Wildlife Laboratory (UCT), University of Florida (UFL), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Health Lab (WI)

Written and compiled by: Anne Ballmann - Eastern US, Krysten Schuler - Western US, Jennifer Bradsby – Biological Technician, and Julia Hoeh - Technician

To report mortality or receive information about this report, please contact the USGS National Wildlife Health Center, 6006 Schroeder Road, Madison , WI 53711

Quarterly Mortality Reports

Avian cholera in waterfowl in California and Nationwide (CA)
Tulelake and Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuges experienced substantial mortality from avian cholera this spring. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuge managers reported nearly 2000 dead birds were collected as part of their disease control operations. Snow geese and Ross’ geese comprised 90% of the birds collected. The mortality event began in early March and subsided in mid to late April. Avian cholera events are annual events at the refuges. The mortality totals in 2009 were less that those in 2008 that lasted two and a half months with mortality estimated at 4500 birds. Cold weather conditions contribute to avian cholera outbreaks by concentrating birds in certain migration stopover locations. Prompt collection and disposal of carcasses removes the causative bacteria, Pasturella multocida, from the environment. Additional avian cholera outbreaks in early 2009 totaling several hundred birds occurred at Kern and Butte Sink NWR, both in California. Lesser outbreaks were documented in the Mississippi and Central Flyways at Bellrose Waterfowl Reserve, IL; Hackberry Flat Wildlife Management Area, OK; and Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District, NE.

Avian salmonellosis mortality confirmed in numerous states (WA, MN, WI, AL, GA, TN, NC, VA, WV, MD, VT, ID)
Recent outbreaks of avian salmonellosis (Salmonella typhimurium) have been confirmed in wild birds across several states since January 2009. Suspected salmonellosis mortality also was reported from CA, UT, ME, and PA. Concerned citizens across the country have reported finding dead or distressed wild birds near their homes and bird feeders. Public concern most likely is heightened due to the recent Salmonella cases in humans and numerous product recalls. There currently is no evidence that the strains found in dead wild birds this year are the same strains of Salmonella that prompted the recalls in peanuts, pistachios, or wild bird seed. Large-scale mortalities of passerines using feeding stations are common across the United States and often occur during times of increased supplemental feeding, such as winter and spring. Smaller outbreaks of salmonellosis are reported yearly, but there is no indication that this year’s mortality estimates are higher than previous years.

Magellanic penguin mortality in Chile
In a report from Chile, an estimated 1380 Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus, Forster, 1781) died and were washed up on The Pines section of beach in Queule in late March. Specimens were collected and examined at the Southern University of Chile in Valdivia. Most of the examined birds had abundant fat, and some were found to have eaten sardines. There were histological lesions consistent with asphyxia and organ congestion. There was no indication of viruses or toxicants, but several specimens had a necrotic hepatitis similar to avian cholera. There was a fleet of fishing vessels off the coast using floating nets for anchovy and sardines; some fishermen admitted penguins were caught in the nets. Official speculate that the number dead could be twice as high due to carcasses floating at sea. Magellanic penguins migrate north with juveniles following the sardines. There were mortality events between 1991-1996 involving Humboldt penguins caught in fishing nets off the coast of Chile. Investigators suggested future management actions should include creation of an emergency group to respond to future mortality events in birds, mammals, and fish, as well as a coordinating entity between state, federal, and university resources. Information provided by Dr. Roberto Schlatter, Southern University of Chile.

Research progress on White-nose syndrome of bats
Scientists are fervently working to uncover the mystery of bat white-nose syndrome (WNS), an emerging disease, that is responsible for the loss of nearly half million insectivorous bats of 5 species in the eastern United States. Little brown bats and eastern pipistrelles have been particularly hard hit with as many as 90-100% of the population wiped out at some winter hibernacula. State, federal, academic, and non-profit organizations have partnered to investigate the disease, its impact on bat populations, and management options. Infection and transmission trials investigating the fungus, now known as Geomyces destructans, as the primary cause of WNS have been carried out at the NWHC. Other studies in which the NWHC are involved include soil sample surveys to determine G. destructans distribution relative to affected hibernacula, summer bat surveys for evidence of latent infections, and evaluation of possible treatment or control options. Concern about possible human-vectored transmission caused the USFWS to issue cave closure recommendations to reduce the risk and speed of disease spread to sites in the Midwest where much larger winter hibernacula occur.

Request for Wildlife Mortality and Morbidity Event Reporting (All States)
The Quarterly Wildlife Mortality Report, published in the Wildlife Disease Association’s newsletter, is intended to inform wildlife professionals of wildlife events of interest. The authors kindly request that investigation reports of recent die-offs of mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles be submitted for inclusion in the publication and on the related website (http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/mortality_events/ongoing.jsp). Credit will be given to appropriate diagnostic laboratories.

The Quarterly Mortality Report represents the most current information available to the USGS National Wildlife Health Center at the time of publication. We encourage researchers to contact us to acquire data directly. External request forms for mortality information can be obtained from Jennifer Bradsby at 608-270-2443 or email: jbradsby@usgs.gov.