SEROLOGICAL SURVEY OF VIRAL PATHOGENS IN BEAN AND WHITE-FRONTED GEESEFROM GERMANY

Sera from wild geese were tested for antibodies to selected viral path ogens at a resting site for wild waterfowl in Germany Serum samples fr om both bean geese (Anser fabalis) and white-fronted geese (Anser alb ifrons) collected in October 1991 were examined using serological meth ods licensed for routine diagnosis in domestic poultry. Of 130 sera te sted, antibodies to several infectious agents were found including New castle disease virus (45%), goose parvovirus (48%), avian reovirus (29 %), and avian adenovirus or egg drop syndrome 76 virus (6%). Antibodie s against duck hepatitis virus were not detected. Differences in serop revalences were not detected between the two geese species. While role and significance of' wild geese in the epidemiology of avian diseases remains to be determined, it is possible that they could be of some i mportance as reservoirs and carriers of certain viral diseases of dome stic poultry.