AVIAN CHOLERA IN OSPREYS - FIRST OCCURRENCE AND POSSIBLE MODE OF TRANSMISSION

In 1994, six Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) were recovered during the lat er stages of an epizootic of avian cholera (Pasteurella multocida) in diving ducks and seabirds on Chesapeake Bay in Maryland and Virginia. Pasteurella multocida was isolated from four Ospreys submitted for bac terial examination. This is believed to be the first report of avian c holera in Ospreys. The same isolate, serotype 3,4, was isolated from t he Ospreys, diving ducks, and seabirds collected during the epizootic. Possible modes of transmission of avian cholera in Ospreys were eithe r the ingestion of sick waterfowl or use of infected carcasses or bone s as nest material.