Avian Botulism Outbreak: Thousands of Birds Die in Utah in Suspected Ingestion of Toxins From Rain Puddles

Specialists posit that thousands of deceased birds in Utah might have ingested toxins from rainwater puddles, potentially playing a role in the avian botulism outbreak.

Outbreak Kills Thousand of Birds in Utah

Officials from the state assert that dead birds were discovered in waterways in northern Utah from late September to early October, potentially due to an outbreak of avian botulism.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) noted that scientists initially observed deceased and ailing birds around mid-September.

The Division said that avian botulism occurs practically regularly in Utah, usually between July and September.

It is most common during extremely hot weather conditions and right after rainstorms.

These circumstances frequently result in stagnant water pools where the anaerobic bacterium that causes avian botulism can live and develop.

However, a very high number of birds were harmed this year.

The agency's footage showed a large number of dead birds floating in the water.

According to DWR, numerous birds have been gathered and tested for disease. There was no evidence of highly virulent avian influenza in the birds.

Biologists believed the birds perished of avian botulism, while the results of the final tests are still awaiting.

The Division claimed that although the condition is not normally linked to human illness, waterfowl hunters should avoid interaction with sick or frail birds, thoroughly prepare all meat, and keep contaminated meat away from dogs as they are susceptible to botulism.

Avian Botulism

A toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum can cause the paralytic and frequently fatal disease avian botulism in birds.

The toxin is produced when there is minimal oxygen available and the water reaches higher temperatures than normal.

Both Type C and Type E of botulism, which are most prevalent in the US's Great Lakes and occur throughout the warmer months, have been identified in birds.

Birds that consume rotting organic materials or living invertebrates that have consumed the poison can contract botulism.

USGS scientists are examining bird botulism on a microscopic and regional level to understand more about how the botulinum toxin moves through the food chain, how to treat botulism, and how to get a picture of where the next outbreak of botulism might occur.

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It's possible for infected birds to already be dead or to show clinical signs such as being unable to fly, move, or hold their heads up.

Although there are exceptions for birds that are poisoned over a longer length of time and become malnourished, most birds will often die in decent physical condition.

Most birds do not exhibit any apparent lesions because botulism is a poison that kills quite quickly.

A mallard duck and a white-faced ibis that were taken from Tulare Lake in California in August both tested positive for avian botulism.

The first line of defense against further spread, according to Evan King, a senior environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, will be the removal of carcasses.

These events are partly natural occurrences, thus King said some losses are probably inevitable.

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