Journal article
Causes of morbidity and mortality of wild aquatic birds at billabong sanctuary, Townsville, North Queensland, Australia
MA Hoque, GW Burgess, AR Greenhil, R Hedlefs, LF Skerratt
Avian Diseases | AMER ASSOC AVIAN PATHOLOGISTS | Published : 2012
Abstract
Infectious diseases are common causes of significant morbidity and mortality events of wild aquatic birds (WABs) worldwide. Reports of Australian events are infrequent. A 3-yr passive surveillance program investigating the common causes of morbidity and mortality of WABs was conducted at Billabong Sanctuary near Townsville, North Queensland, from April 2007 to March 2010. Forty-two carcasses were obtained and evaluated by clinico-pathologic, histologic, bacteriologic, and virologic (molecular) examinations. Morbidity and mortality were sporadic and more commonly observed in chicks and juvenile birds in April than other months of the year. Morbid birds were frequently unable to walk. Hemorrha..
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Funding Acknowledgements
We are very grateful to the Australian Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre (ABCRC) and the Australian Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for providing financial support for our project. We thank AusAID for providing an Australian Leadership Award and the ABCRC for a top-up Ph.D. scholarship to M.A.H. We extend our thanks to the scientific and ethics permit authorities for providing the following project approvals, Eco-access permit No. WISp04374507, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Northern Region and ethics permit No. A 1175, JCU. Finally, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the members of our avian influenza research team and other contributors to our research for their excellent cooperation during the study period.