Background
Avian cholera is a disease caused by bacteria that can infect Common Eiders, Snow Geese, Canada Geese and Ross's Geese. Infected birds die quite suddenly, even while sitting on a nest. Sick birds may appear weak, unable to fly or unafraid of people. Birds dying of avian cholera are often in good body condition. Inside an affected bird, you may see bleeding on the surface of the heart and gizzard, and many small white spots on the liver. The disease was first recorded in the 18th century. However it was not until the 1880s that Louis Pasteur first isolated and grew it in pure culture. Originally a disease of fowl in Europe, it was first recorded in North America in 1943-44. Since then outbreaks have been recorded almost annually in wild birds including several outbreaks identified in Canada.
WHAT THE CWHC IS DOING
The CWHC conducts scanning surveillance for avian cholera across Canada through post mortem examinations of species affected by the disease exhibiting symptoms suggesting presence of the disease. Such surveillance is important to identifying incidents in order to inform practioners and managers so that the appropriate strategies may be employed to limit or prevent further transmission of the disease.
