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Migrating Black-Bellied Whistling Ducks Test Positive for Avian Cholera
Birds from the most recent annual migration of wild black-bellied whistling ducks to the New Orleans area and Audubon Park have tested positive for avian cholera.
This naturally occurring bacteria can result in death especially when the bird is stressed. Comingling of waterfowl spreads the infection within the population.
“Avian cholera outbreaks are not an uncommon occurrence in waterfowl and occur throughout the country nearly every year,’’ said Dr. Jim LaCour, State Wildlife Veterinarian with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF). “Unfortunately, an infected bird has brought the disease to us. Mortality events in the wild can be limited to a few birds or can cause mortality in many thousands of birds and can be short-lived or endure for months. Luckily, the setting for this outbreak allows some mitigation of natural spread which should help to minimize the mortality effects.”